Asian Games 2014: Government approves 679-member Indian contingent

Three official mascots of the the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, from left, Barame, Vichuon and Chumuro pose for a photo at the 17th Asian Games Athletes' Village in Incheon, west of Seoul, South Korea.

New Delhi: Sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal, in consultation with prime minister Narendra Modi, Tuesday pruned the Indian contingent for the Incheon Asian Games, slated for Sep 19-Oct 4, to 679 from 942 that was proposed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The total number of participants shall be 679, including 516 athletes and 163 coaches and support staff. The IOA had sent a list of 942 participants, including 662 athletes and 280 officials. India will be participating in a total of 28 disciplines as against 35 last time.

"In Asiad 2010 in Guangzhou, China, we had sent a contingent of 609 athletes plus 324 officials (933). It has also been decided that 'No Cost to Government' shall not be a consideration for finalizing the national contingent," the ministry said in a statement. 

"The list was sent by the IOA to the ministry on 21st August, 2014. As per the Ministry's guidelines, the list was required to be submitted at least 90 days in advance. The exercise was undertaken to ensure that the deserving Athletes, Coaches and Supporting Personnel are participating in the Games. The minister wishes the Indian contingent all the very best," the statement added. 

The disciplines cleared for the Asian Games are aquatics (swimming), archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, canoeing and kayaking, cycling, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, kabaddi, rowing, sepak takraw, shooting, squash, taekwondo, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, wushu, weightlifting, and yachting.