NEW DELHI, OCT 26: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) today laid out `third place' criterion for the selection of the Indian participants in the 13th Asian Games to be held in Bangkok in December.Briefing presspersons following its annual general body meeting, IOA chief Suresh Kalmadi said that the Indian contingent and the disciplines in which the country will participate will be made known this week-end. The last date for sending names is November 6.Kalmadi, however, said in the selection of disciplines for the Asian Games there would be some relaxation in criteria in case of events like football, swimming and athletics which will be compulsory for the first Afro-Asian Games to be held in New Delhi in 2001.Asked about the justification of considering the football team for the Bangkok Games, the IOA president said, ``our women team has the possibility of reaching at least the semi-finals.''NATIONAL GAMES FROM FEB. 14: Kalmadi also announced that the much delayed National Games will now be atImphal (Manipur) from February 14 to 25. ``The dates have been decided keeping in mind the weather conditions,'' he said. The National Games, earlier scheduled for October, were postponed in view of heavy rains and the incomplete infrastructure. He also declared that Punjab will host the 2000 National Games.Kalmadi said Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura have been allowed to participate in the Games.He also said that 21 sports associations had been granted recognition by the IOA. ``The recognition will entitle them to get support from the government like concessions on travel and other things,'' he said. This would, however, mean that they will have no voting right as is the case with IOA's affiliated units.BSFI GRANTED IOA RECOGNITION: Those associations given recognition are Billiards and Snooker Federation of India, Indian Luge Association, the Bowling Federation of India, Softball Federation of India, All India Carrom Federation, Netball Federation of India, RollerSkating Federation of India, Indian Polo Association, Cycle Polo Federation of India, Yoga Federation of India, Indian Mountaineering Federation, School Games Federation of India, Trampoline Federation of India, Malkhamb Federation of India, All India Tug-of-war Federation, Atya Patya Federation of India, Indian Body Building Federation, Indian Rugby Football Union, Indian Powerlifting Federation, Wushu Association of India and Ball Badminton Association of India.Appreciating the performance of the Indian participants at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, Kalmadi said six coaches would be given cash award of Rs 10,000 each. He said it had been suggested to raise the fee of foreign coaches from the present $1,000 to $3,000 per month.
