Sports ministry urges IOA to ease norms for Asian Games squad

India’s Asian Games squad for Indonesia is set to go up after the sports ministry asked the Olympic body to ease norms for those events or athletes who have a realistic chance of doing well.

The Indian contingent bound for Asian Games in Jakarta is expected to swell. On July 3, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced a 524-member squad. Since then, some athletes and federations, including All India Football Federation (AIFF), have complained over not being considered for the continental showpiece starting on August 18.

Indian men’ds football team missed the Asian Games cut but there is still a chance. (PTI)

Following the concerns of athletes/teams who have marginally missed the cut in terms of government criteria -- sixth spot in last Games or latest continental event in individual events and eighth for team events – the sports ministry has urged IOA to relax norms in specific cases ‘in the larger interest of the sports and sportspersons’.

The ministry in a letter to IOA on Wednesday said the Olympic body in consultation with particular federations may reassess the earlier decision on sending entries if those ineligible disciplines have performed consistently for six months but not made it due to lack of exposure and at the same time have strong chance of finishing in the top four.

“Based on the recommendations of the IOA the ministry may consider including disciplines/athletes” in the Games contingent, the letter said.