Govt cuts 263 from India team for Asian Games

NEW DELHI - The Indian government has struck off 263 names recommended by the national Olympic association for the team to compete at the Asian Games in Incheon next week.

The government delayed the decision until Tuesday.

The national Olympic body recommended 662 athletes and 280 officials in a contingent of 942, but the sports ministry, which was expected to green-light the list last Thursday, brought it down to 516 athletes and 163 support staff for a total of 679.

The breakdown of participants in various disciplines was not immediately made available, but the ministry said "the exercise was undertaken to ensure that the deserving athletes, coaches and supporting personnel are participating in the games."

The teams cleared included that of football, for which a squad of 20 players was approved instead of the recommended 22.

Hockey India secretary-general Narendra Batra warned that the sports federations should not be blamed for under performance as the late clearance had led to confusion and a delay in getting air tickets.

"Kindly do not blame federations for non-performance in Asian Games due to confusion at your end," Batra said in a statement.

India had sent a contingent of 933 members including 609 athletes for the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, where it won 65 medals including 14 gold.