India's citizenship test? Sunil Chhetri quizzes Ryan Williams before handing ex-Aussie the passport

Former Australian winger Ryan Williams is now an Indian citizen, a landmark for Indian football. Sunil Chhetri presented his passport, marking the AIFF's first success with OCI players. Williams, eligible through his Anglo-Indian heritage, impressed with his cultural knowledge. His move could bolster the national team for upcoming qualifiers.

Sunil Chhetri tested Ryan Williams in a playful quiz before handing him the Indian passport. (Instagram)

Former Australian winger Ryan Williams has become an Indian citizen in what marks a significant development for Indian football, with the ceremonial handover of his passport conducted by Indian football star Sunil Chhetri at Bengaluru FC. This milestone represents the All India Football Federation's initial success in incorporating Overseas Citizens of India into the national football setup, with Williams qualifying through his mother's Anglo-Indian heritage. The passport handover ceremony became a viral moment among football fans as Chhetri put Williams through an informal quiz about Indian street food and pop culture. Williams demonstrated his knowledge of Indian culture and playfully declared himself "one of their own," creating a celebratory atmosphere at the Bengaluru FC camp.WATCH: Sunil Chhetri tests Ryan Williams before handing the Indian passport Williams' journey to Indian citizenship involved support from various stakeholders, including his family, friends, the Karnataka State Association president, and JSW, with final approvals obtained at the ministry level in Delhi. Despite having represented Australia at youth levels and earning one senior cap in a 2019 friendly, FIFA regulations permit him to switch his national allegiance. The footballer's professional career spans multiple continents, beginning in Australia at ECU Joondalup before moving to England in 2011. He has played for several English clubs including Portsmouth, Fulham, Gillingham, Oxford United, Barnsley, and Rotherham United, followed by a stint at Perth Glory in 2022. Since joining Bengaluru FC in 2023, Williams has made a significant impact, scoring 13 goals and providing five assists in 46 appearances. His partnership with Sunil Chhetri has been particularly noteworthy for the club. The AIFF's initiative to include OCI players has seen its first concrete result with Williams' reported inclusion in the national team camp ahead of India's upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. His addition could provide the national team with new attacking options under head coach Khalid Jamil. Nepal-born defender Abneet Bharti is following a similar path, currently attending the Indian national team camp on a trial basis before the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh. His inclusion in the squad will be determined by his performance during the camp.

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