Chaos marks India’s build-up to Asian Games

Then, there is the buzz from Bangalore that shuttler Aparna Popat, silver medallist atthe Commonwealth Games, has a bone spur in the right heel. The bigger surprise is that Prakash Padukone is not the coach of the team, nor has been named to accompany it in any capcity. And mind you, everybody knows it was Padukone’s presence which inspired the badminton squad to two silver and two bronze at Commonwealth Games two months back.

While Usha’s injury and fall on the track in Calcutta happened in full view of all, Paes’ problem list — bone spur, groin strain and some minor trouble with quadriceps — became public when he pulled out of the last match at the World Doubles Championships in Hartford.

Not surprisingly, the Indian Olympic Association, seems to have no inkling of Popat’s problems — which obviously cropped up after her return from Kuala Lumpur and she resumed full training only four days ago. The IOA’s hazy relationship with Badminton Association of India has hardly helped matters.

India’s only other entry for men’s singles, Pullela Gopichand, is currently playing in the GermanBundesliga and will return on December 4 before leaving for Bangkok.

And, what about other sportspersons who are waiting to board their flights? Well, ask the sports ministry. They are yet to clear the contingent. "The list of all those who have been cleared by the government will be made available at the press briefing tomorrow afternoon,” said Randhir Singh, secretary-general of the IOA, who is accosted into some room or corner of the complex, by some official or the other, every other moment.

For the record, the men’s football team has not been cleared and same is the case with the volleyball squad. But the identity cards for the footballers are ready and the team with IM Vijayan as captain has been officially announced in Calcutta. Further, their bookings from Calcutta to Bangkok for November 29 are confirmed. The same cannot be said for the volleyball squad.

There are regular additions, subtractions and changes in various squads, so there is no one in IOA who can give the correct picture. “Itwill all be clear on Thursday,” is the common refrain. There have been three additions in the yachting squad; a couple of swimmers may still be added to the seven announced earlier; a wrestler has been added in Gerco-Roman category, while there is talk of some replacement in women’s weightifting squad. All in all, right now things are a mess. As always.