NEW DELHI: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) confirmed on Friday that the Indian contingent for the Asian Games will increase from 524 to 551 as it will be sending teams to participate in the sports climbing and bridge events of the competition, Times of India reports.
Sports climbing will be represented by 3 athletes while 24 of them will be a part of the bridge team.
However, the IOA has, expectedly, brushed off the Sports Ministry’s suggestion of reconsidering the criteria of selection of teams from some of the sporting disciplines, seeing their potential to win a medal for India.
Further cocking a snook at the Sports Ministry, the IOA announced that 223 officials would be accompanying the Indian contingent at the Asian Games. Point to note: As per the Sports Ministry’s advisory on officials should form one-third of the size of the contingent, which should be approximately 185 in this case.
