Chennai, Nov 05: Indian athletes competing at next
month's Doha Asian Games have been cautioned that their medal
prospects could be dampened by 'imported athletes'
representing some countries in the games.
"Like Indian athletes, athletes from other countries have
also shown improved performance but the 'imported' athletes
competing for mere financial gains for few countries will be
the major problems." Athletic Federation of India Secretary
Lalit Kumar Bhanot today told a press conference here.
He also assured that Indian athletes will not be caught
in doping charges this time.
"We have kept a full vigil on dope issues and we could
guarantee that none of the athletes going from India will have
any problem on this count," he said.
"Every athlete has been tested at least three times
during the last six months. We will continue to monitor the
athletes but at the same time, I cannot talk of athletes coming
from outside India to represent the country," he said.
However, he said India's chances of winning medals were
bright considering the athletes' improved performances and the
federation was sending only the best ones, who could find
success in the games.
"We are deputing athletes, who are in the medal bracket
and no one will be sent for mere participation. Likewise, the
AFI has decided not to field a relay team in men's 100 metres
going by the advice of the selection committee. India will
be represented by a 41-member contingent in athletics," Bhanot
said.
The team would be finalised before the month's end, he
said, adding "the federation will have a final trial in new
Delhi on November 11."
The federation decided to run the ongoing nationals for
more than the normal two days, but the incessant rains had put
the schedule and plans in disarray, Bhanot said.
Pointing out that there was no point in sending a men's
relay team without K M Binu, Bhanot revealed that the women's
100m relay team would be Chitra K Soman, Anju B George and G C
Pramila, besides Poonam Tomar.
As for the 4x400m relay for women, the AFI has almost
decided on Manjit Kaur, Pinki Pramanik, Chitra Soman while the
fourth athlete would be decided at the New Delhi trials.
Shiv Shankar Yadav of Uttar Pradesh is also a likely
entry in the long jump event, Bhanot said.
On selection of athletes, he said "national record or
India's best is not a concern. The criteria for selection of
athletes for Asian Games will be a comparison to the timings
or distances of top athletes in the region and whether India
has any chances of winning a medal among the top notchers."
On the number of medals likely to be won by India at the
games, he said "I cannot predict the number but I am confident
that it will be good show by our athletes," he said.
India had won 17 medals, including seven golds, at the
2002 Busan Games.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, November 05, 2006, 00:00