(Photo: Omid Singh Instagram)

PANAJI: Coach Igor Stimac wants to add Omid Singh to his new-look India side but the Iranian winger is yet to take a final call whether he wants to surrender his Iranian passport.

Singh, son of a Punjabi father and Iranian mother, has made a name for himself in Iran where he has excelled as a left-winger and full-back. He was recommended to Stimac as someone who could add to India's strengths.

The Croatian coach didn't mind having a look and is now awaiting a word from the Iranian, who plies his trade in the Iran Pro League with Nassaji FC.

India does not allow for dual passports and only those with an Indian passport are eligible to represent the country in international competitions.

"It's a huge call for Omid. Certainly, he is a good player who could strengthen the India team but he must decide whether he wants to give up his Iranian passport and take up an Indian one.

"It's a cumbersome process and may take 15 months. If he makes up his mind, we can help him by speeding up the process," a senior AIFF official told TOI on Tuesday.

The AIFF has already initiated discussions with the player's agent and explained the process to obtain an Indian passport.

There were reports that Singh would be added to the India campers for next month's Inter-Continental Cup but sources said that might be too soon, even though Stimac is keen to see how best he can make use of the Iranian.

"Based on what he has heard, Stimac believes Omid can be an asset but we have to know what the player thinks. Stimac will not be here forever, and just because he has changed his passport (from Iranian to Indian), we cannot guarantee him a place in the Indian team. That can happen only on merit," said the official, adding that his wife is an Iranian.

AIFF has in the past helped players obtain Indian passports. Prior to the Fifa U-17 World Cup 2017 in India, Canadian Sunny Dhaliwal obtained an Indian passport and was included in the India squad. He didn't get a game, and according to AIFF sources, it's much easier for a minor rather than someone lie Singh, who is 28.

Japanese midfielder Izumi Arata was the first person of Indian origin (PIO) to represent the country in 2013 when he took the field against Palestine in a friendly in Kochi. Arata, born to an Indian father and Japanese mother, spent six years in India before he could finally pull on the India jersey.

