Join the army now, it's all a game

The Military World Games in Hyderabad promise a great show, in the run-up to next year's Beijing Olympics.

It wouldn't be far from the truth to say that the country is more excited about the fact that we could probably have a Formula One race track in the country in few years than it is about the Military Games less than a month away.

The Fourth Military Games, scheduled to begin on October 14 in Hyderabad, is expected to see high-quality sporting action.

Renowned athletes like Athens Olympic silver medallist in boxing Jerome Thomas, judo world champion Sophie Mondiere, parachuting world champion S Valios, 300m shooting world champion S Bibard, javelin silver medallist at the Athens Olympics Vadimas of Latvia, and European shooting champion Henri Hakkinen of Finland will be among the participants.

The Games, which will run October 14-21, will see athletes compete in a total of 13 disciplines, including boxing, football, handball, judo, military pentathlon, parachuting, shooting, aquatics, athletics, volleyball and wrestling. Hockey is the notable exception among the disciplines, probably because of lack of participation, though there will be exhibition matches.

Out of 127 members of the International Military Sports Council, 78 nations have confirmed their participation. The largest contingents will be from the host country, besides China and Germany, which will be fielding over 200 sportspersons each from their armed forces.

Continent-wise, Europe will be sending the maximum number of countries: 34 out of the total of 38 member nations. Around 4,000 sportsmen are expected to participate in this year's games, which are being held outside Europe for the first time ever.

To avoid any doping controversies, the organisers are ensuring that strict dope-testing measures will be followed. Samples of all record-breaking winners, in addition to random samples, will be sent to special laboratories in Bangkok on a daily basis to ensure the highest international standards in this biggest-ever sporting event to be held in India.

There have been certain concerns about the security arrangements after the recent blasts at Hyderabad, but the organisers seem confident of the event being a success. The Games could also serve as an ideal run-up for athletes preparing for the Beijing Olympics next year.