India to skip 10 disciplines?

Regional powerhouse India may not send teams to 10 out of 27 disciplines in the upcoming 13th South Asian Games in Nepal, which should open up medal chances for the other six participating nations.

A two-day meeting of the participating nations took place in Kathmandu on Saturday and Sunday where the teams gave their preliminary lists of contingent sizes and disciplines.

Although no official confirmation in this regard came from the Bangladesh Olympic Association, it has been learnt that India may skip 10 important disciplines -- archery, golf, cricket, kabaddi, tennis, table tennis, karate, taekwondo, paragliding and wrestling. It has been also learnt that India, unlike previous editions, will send a smaller contingent but fourth largest according to the preliminary list.

Pakistan, the second-best team in the regional games, is expected to send a truncated contingent too.

The absence of these two countries in important disciplines should work in favour of the other countries. Bangladesh, with a contingent of close to 600 members, will participate in 25 disciplines.

The last date for finalising entries of a contingent is November 20. The games will be held from December 1 to 10.