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Asian Games - Guangzhou - Nov 12-28 2010

Sir john

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Gagan to be flag-bearer at Asian Games Ace shooter Gagan Narang, who lifted four gold medals in the 19th Commonwealth Games in Delhi last month, will be India's flag-bearer for the 16th Asian Games to be held at Guangzhou (China) from November 12 to28. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi said here today that 27-year-old Gagan was chosen for the honour "not only because he emerged as India's best athlete in the Commonwealth Games with four gold medals, but also because he has been one of the most consistent performers (in shooting) for India in the past few years". Gagan first hit the spotlight in 2003 when he struck a gold medal in the inaugural Afro-Asian Games in his home town of Hyderabad. Kalmadi added: "Gagan won four gold medals in the Commonwealth Games at Melbourne in 2006. In 2008, he won the 10m air rifle gold in the World Cup finals and earlier this year, claimed the bronze in the World Championship. He is also ranked No 4 in the world in 10m air rifle event". Kalmadi said many names were considered for being the flag-bearer in the Asiad before finally settling for Gagan Narang. "It is a pleasure to have such choice and strengthens our belief that Olympic sport in India is progressing in the right direction", Kalmadi explained.

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Sachin2210 Newbie

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As always,China will lead the medal tally and that too by a good margin.Surely,they will want to improve their previous tally of 166 gold medals which was just 27 less than total medals won by South Korea which finished second. As for us,I would love a top five finish.That should be the minimum target after performing exceptionally well in CWG.

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After CWG euphoria, the Asiad reality check While the glitz and glamour surrounding India’s multi-event athletes continues, the undercurrents of caution are evident as they prepare to embark for the Asian Games in Guangzhou from November 12. This is going to be a far cry from the euphoria of the Commonwealth Games at home and athletes and coaches, while exuding confidence, are a still tentative about the prospects. At a chaotic felicitation ceremony here today, some of the big names of Indian sports, athletes like wrestler Sushil Kumar and boxer Suranjoy Singh claimed their respective contingents were ready for the Games and were hoping to do well. But the irony of it all is that Sushil, a definite medal prospect, isn’t even going to China. “Our wrestling team has been practicing really hard and we are hoping to do well,” Sushil said in his typical disarming fashion. “But the results of the infrastructure created for the Commonwealth Games will be more evident in the 2012 Olympics in London.” Evidently, that is a bigger target for the world champion. Boxing coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu, while exuding customary confidence, gladly grabbed at any suggestions that the competition would be stiffer. “Definitely, the standard of competition in the Asian Games will be higher than the Commonwealth Games,” he concurred. “China will always be strong at home while nations like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and even Iran are strong contenders. “In fact, from all the teams in the fray in China, we have only met a couple in the Commonwealth Games. In the lighter weight categories, countries like Korea, the Philippines, Thailand and even Japan can be formidable.” While Suranjoy Singh looks like a world-class boxer and the Asiad line-up looks much better than the CWG team, the recovery period since the Delhi event hasn’t been too great. Also, Vijender Singh, who is the flag-bearer for Indian boxing, hasn’t been in best nick. “The loss (in the Commonwealth Games semi-finals) was a huge shock for him,” Sandhu says. “As you can see, he isn’t attending too many of these felicitations. His focus is totally on training.” With the Indian Olympic Association getting clearance for as many as 863 athletes and officials for the Asian Games, the largest contingent ever, people would naturally like to re-live the euphoria of the Commonwealth Games. However, the tally of 101 medals won in Delhi looks optimistic at best. The function, apart from the above mentioned athletes, was also attended by hockey captain Rajpal Singh and members of the boxing and wrestling teams, and also Akhil Kumar.

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India go down 0-2 to Kuwait in Asian Games opener India put up a valiant fight before going down 0-2 against Kuwait to get off their Asian Games football campaign on a disappointing note here today. Sukhwinder Singh's boys were on equal terms against their stronger rivals for most part of the match. They paid the price of conceding an early goal and letting in another via a defensive lapse in the injury time. Striker Khaled Al Azemi scored both the goals -- in the sixth and 91st minutes -- for Kuwait at the Huadu Stadium. India will now have to beat either defending champions Qatar on Tuesday or Singapore on Thursday to have any chance of remaining in contention for a berth in the knock-out round. The top two teams from each of four groups and the four best third-placed teams will qualify for the Round of 16. India were in the backfoot as early as the sixth minute with Al Azemi finding the target even as the Indians were trying to settle down. Al Azemi found the target from an opportunistic shot after a Kuwaiti free-kick from outside the box deflected from an Indian defender. Not to be alarmed by the deficit, the Indian Under-23 side did not allow their rivals to dictate terms on them. They matched their rivals in ball possession and got some gilt-edged chances which though they could not convert. In the whole match, India had five shots at the goal as against six by the Kuwaitis. The Indians had more corner kicks -- five against one by Kuwait. India dominated the second half but wasted at least three chances to equalise. They conceded the second goal in the first of the three-minute injury time with the back pass from an Indian defender to goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimany, who started instead of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, landing on Kuwaiti striker Al Azemi. Al Azemi slotted the ball and D Ravanan's desperate attempt to clear it was unsuccessful. Despite the loss, Sukhwinder was happy with the performance of his boys and said his side still has the chance to make it to the knock-out round. “It was an evenly contested match. Kuwait converted two from the three chances they got. We had at least three chances to equalise in the second half. So overall, I am happy with the performance of the boys,” he said. “The boys played a good game. There were one or two Kuwaiti boys who are skillful and speedier than my boys. So we are looking to play our best against Qatar and Singapore. We still have chance to qualify for next round. There are no injury concerns in today's match also,” he added.

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India squander lead, suffer 1-2 loss to Qatar India let in two goals in the last 10 minutes after leading 1-0 to suffer a heartbreaking 1-2 loss to defending champions Qatar in their second group match of the Asian Games football competition on Tuesday. India, who lost 0-2 to Kuwait in their opening match, produced an impressive show and took the lead in the 18th through Dharmaraj Ravanan, who headed in a flag kick. Sukhvinder Singh's boys dictated terms on their fancied opponents in the first half but conceded two late goals to end the match empty handed. Striker Jaralla Ali struck twice in the 80th and 88th minutes to break the hearts of the Indians. Both the goals came after first choice goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani had to be replaced by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu as the former suffered an injury in a collision with Qatari midfielder Saleh Mohamed during a scramble for the ball minutes after the resumption of second half. Not wanting to take any chances, Kattimani was taken to a local hospital for MRI scan and he was ruled out of any serious problems. Gurpreet was found out of position when Jaralla sent a looping header into the empty Indian goal for the equaliser in the 80th minute. Sukhvinder brought in striker Jagtar Singh in place of Balwant Singh in the 83rd minute but that did not make much difference in the Indian attack. Instead, India conceded a goal two minutes before the regulation time with Jaralla's left footer from the edge of the box finding the target. The Indians went all out for a desperate equaliser in the last few minutes and four minutes of injury time but to no avail. India will now have to beat Singapore in their last Group D game on Thursday if they want to make it to the knock-out stage of the under-23 competition. The top two teams from each of four groups and the four best third-placed teams will qualify for the Round of 16. Three Indians -- Rowlinson Rodrigues, Robert Lalthlamuana and Khagembam Jibon -- were also booked for rough play. Coach Sukhvinder Singh started with the same eleven that began against Kuwait. Jeje Lalpekhlua was in the starting line-up despite a below par performance against Kuwait. Sukhvinder was happy with the performance of his boys and rued that they ended without any points. "We really played well today, much better than the Kuwait match. We created many chances and the way boys played in the first half, it was a treat to watch," Sukhvinder said. "We were unfortunate to concede two quick goals, which could have been avoided for sure. We also missed two sitters, Balwant missed a one-to-one chance, which could have changed the whole course of the game. On the whole, I am very much pleased with today's performance," he said. "We are still not out of contention for a knock-out berth. We have to beat Singapore now," added the former JCT coach. Asked about Kattimani's injury, Sukhvinder said, "We have done an MRI on him and the team doctor said there is nothing serious. His neck and spine are safe."

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India seal knockout berth in Asian Games football INDIA qualified for the knockout stage of the Asian Games football competition for the first time since 1982 after outplaying Singapore 4-1 in Guangzhou, on Thursday. India fired three quick goals in the second half to register their first win in the tournament which helped them finish third in Group D with three points. India made it to the round of 16 on better goal difference. In 2002 and 2006, they had missed out on the knockout rounds on goal difference. In another match, defending champions Qatar beat Kuwait 2-0 to top Group D with seven points from two wins and a draw. Kuwait finished second in the group with six points from two wins. Jewel Raja (13th), Balwant Singh (62nd), Khagembam Jibon Singh (67th) and Maithani (75th) scored for India while Lou Zhenlun reduced the margin for Singapore in the 83rd minute. The top two teams from each of four groups and the four best third-placed teams will qualify for the Round of 16. The final six group matches of the competition will be played on Saturday but India have secured a place in the knockout round as Uzbekistan and Maldives [ Images ], the third-placed teams of Group E and F respectively, were eliminated. India, who earlier lost 0-2 and 1-2 against Kuwait and Qatar respectively, have better goal difference of zero than Uzbekistan (minus one) while Maldives have two points after three matches. Coach Sukhvinder Singh started with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu at the goal with Laxmikant Kattimani yet to recover from the injury he suffered during the match against Qatar and Fanai Lalrorama was brought at the defence in place of Robert Lalthlamuana who was suspended after double booking. Jewel Raja put India ahead in the 13th minute and they went into the breather at 1-0 still unsure of a knockout round berth. They came out in the second half firing on all cylinders and pumped in three goals in the space of 13 minutes through Balwant Singh (62nd), Khagembam Jibon Singh (67th) and Maithani (75th). Sukhvinder did not make any substitution in the match and it was commendable for the boys to play all the 90 minutes and came out winners against the opponents who had played out a goalless draw against Qatar. An elated Sukhvinder praised his boys for the performance which he said was the best in the tournament. :yay::yay::yay::yay::yay: "I am proud of my boys. They played the best match of the tournament. It is nice feeling if we have qualified for the round of 16 though the group matches are yet to be over," Sukhvinder said after the match.

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India aim for a top-five finish sp6.jpg Buoyed by their unprecedented success in last month's Commonwealth Games, Indian athletes are now bracing up for the tougher challenge of making their presence felt against regional powers such as China and Korea for a top-five finish at the Asian Games beginning here tomorrow. "We finished number eight in the last Games (at Doha in 2006) with a tally of 10 gold medals. We aim to double that tally here and finish in the top five. The success in the Commonwealth Games has boosted our athletes' confidence," said the Indian contingent's Chef de Mission Abhay Singh Chautala. In Doha, the Indians hauled in 10 gold, 17 silver and 26 bronze medals. In CWG, India had a record medal tally of 38 gold, 27 silver and 36 bronze that pushed them to the second spot for the first time ahead of England. Chautala expects the Indians to rip open the gold medal chest on the first day of competitions itself, saying a 1-2 sweep of the men's 10m air rifle featuring star shooters Gagan Narang, the four-gold winner at CWG, and Beijing Olympic Games bronze medallist Abhinav Bindra was very much on the cards. Also present is "Goldfinger" Samaresh Jung, who picked up five gold medals in the 2006 Melbourne CWG, and is to take part in the 25m standard pistol for men. "We are hoping for a 1-2 in the rifle event and two more gold medals at least in billiards," said Chautala. The billiards semifinals and the final are slated for November 14. Billiards features former world professional champions Geet Sethi and Pankaj Advani, among the gold medallists in 2006. A total of 10 men and seven women are in different cue sports ranging from billiards for men to 6-red snooker for women. "We have come with 600-odd players, the biggest-ever for the Games. We hope to double the Doha gold tally and also like in the Commonwealth Games improve our standing," said Chautala. The last time India finished inside top-five in Asiad was in 1986 at the Seoul Games when it ended up fifth with five gold, four of them from track queen P T Usha, nine silver and 23 bronze medals. In subsequent Games, the country finished a lowly 11th when they were held previously in China (1990 in Beijing) with only one gold medal and 23 overall, 8th, 9th, 8th and 8th in Hiroshima (1994--4 gold), Bangkok (1998--7 gold), Busan (2002--10 gold) and Doha (2006--10 gold).

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Saina on stand-by for flag bearing ceremony Star woman shuttler Saina Nehwal will carry the country's tri-colour during tomorrow's Asian Games Opening Ceremony here if ace rifle marksman Gagan Narang pulls out from performing the honour, said Indian Olympic Association chief Suresh Kalmadi. "We want Gagan Narang to be the flag-bearer at the Opening Ceremony but in case he is unable to do so, and we have left it to him to decide on it, then Saina Nehwal would do the honour. She has been kept as the stand-bye," said Kalmadi after the Indian flag was raised at the Games Village here today. The flags of Indonesia and Lebanon were also unfurled at the Village. Kalmadi said the reason Narang, who bagged four gold medals in last month's Commonwealth Games, may pull out was because the ace shooter's first event was scheduled early on November 13, the day after the Opening. "He has to participate in his first event early morning the next day. We have totally left it in his hands," said Kalmadi. IOA secretary-general Randhir Singh also said it would be an honour to do the flag-bearer's job but having gone through such an experience in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, attention must also be paid to the fact that Gagan had an event to take part next morning. "I was the flag-bearer at the Moscow Games and it was windy the next day and I could feel stiffness in my arms. The pressure on the arms is different when holding the flag," said the one-time ace shooter and former Asian Games medallist. Star woman boxer Mary Kom said that she was happy for Narang that he has been entrusted with the prestigious task of carrying the Indian tricolour at the Opening Ceremony

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saneindian Enthusiast

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A spectacular opening ceremony today. They have decked up the entire city and massively changed things. Hoping to see the Indian contingent do well. Can the mods sticky this thread please. The competitions start tomorrow and two of our brightest hopes, Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang are in action straightaway.

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