Australian Player Trades Passport
Ryan Williams, who made the decision to give up his Australian passport and obtain Indian citizenship, joined the Indian national football team camp in Bengaluru on Sunday. The All India Football Federation said in a statement that the 32-year-old forward, along with defender Jay Gupta, had joined the camp. A Perth-born player, Williams took this step to fulfil his late grandfather’s dream and play international football.
“When I said I’m giving up my Australian passport for an Indian one, people looked at me like I had four heads,” Williams stated. His maternal grandfather, the late Lincoln Grostate, was a player for Bombay in the Santosh Trophy in the 1950s. Even at that time, the message was to try and play in India. Williams reckons the number of people who told him it wouldn’t be possible is more than enough to count with two of his hands.
Two-Year Process Completed
It all started two years ago when Williams came to play for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League. In order to get his documents, he had to spend at least 12 months in India first. He is now feeling good and happy with an Indian passport in his hand. Aryn, his twin brother, was also a player for NEROCA FC in the late 2010s, and he, too, was interested in getting Indian citizenship. But numerous people told Aryn that it was impossible, and hence he did not pursue it further.
Ryan Williams’ Indian citizenship ceremony was held at the Bengaluru FC training facility. The ceremony was conducted by the legendary Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri. “Pleased to make official what long felt like a given. Thankful for the love, the chance, and the feeling of being at home that this country has given me,” Williams said on Instagram.
Could Debut Against Bangladesh
For the first time, Williams may wear the India jersey in Dhaka next week for the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on November 18. The national camp kicked off in Bengaluru on Thursday, November 6. It is just the second time that an Overseas Citizen of India has been allowed to represent the Indian football team. Before Williams, Japan-born Izumi Arata became an Indian citizen in 2012 and played nine matches for India in 2013 and 2014.
Ryan Williams was part of the Australia U-20 and U-23 teams and also made a brief appearance for the senior team in a 2019 friendly against South Korea. Before coming to Bengaluru FC in 2023, he was associated with English clubs Fulham and Portsmouth. There were reasons, firstly, to keep his grandfather’s memory alive and secondly, to get another shot at playing international football. Williams resides in Bengaluru with his wife and two children.
Additionally, Williams would like to pave the way for Yan Dhanda and Danny Batth, who have expressed their desire to represent India but have not been willing to relinquish their British passports. According to him, it would only help football in India to progress.
However, due to India’s poor performance in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, he will not have competitive international games for the next couple of years. He also expresses a wish that the citizenship process had been faster so that he could have made a difference in the previous matches. He is not only willing to do it on the field but also contribute towards the overall betterment of Indian football.
FAQs
Q: Why did Ryan Williams sacrifice his Australian passport?
A: Simply put to the point, it was first of all to keep alive the memory of his late grandfather, who was a player for Bombay in the 1950s, and secondly to get another chance at international football, this time for India.
Q: How long was the citizenship process?
A: The whole thing took two years from the time he signed for Bengaluru FC. In order to be eligible for the documentation, he had to be in India for 12 months.
Q: When could Williams play his maiden game for India?
A: The first time, he could be seen in a match with India as a team in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in Dhaka on November 18.
Q: Did Williams play for Australia before?
A: Definitely, he was involved with the Australia U-20 and U-23 teams and in a 2019 friendly against South Korea for the senior team, he came on as a substitute.
Q: Is Williams the first overseas player to become an Indian citizen?
A: No, rather the other way round, Jesus came from Japan and became an Indian citizen in 2012, after which, for 2013 and 2014, he was seen representing India in 9 matches.
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