The government has approved the Indian contingent for the Asian Games-2014. Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Youth Affairs and Sports took the decision in consultation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The total number of participants shall be 679 including 516 athletes and 163 coaches and support staff. (This is against a list of total 942 participants including 662 athletes and 280 officials sent by the IOA).
The team will be participating in a total of 28 disciplines as against 35 last time. The participating disciplines are aquatics, 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.
In Asiad 2010 in Guangzhou, China, we had sent a contingent of 609 athletes plus 324 officials. It has also been decided that "No Cost to Government" shall not be a consideration for finalizing the national contingent.
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.