The guide to the games

It8217;s been more than 10 years in the making but will the Afro-Asian Games, which begin on Friday, be worth the wait? On the face of it, ...

It8217;s been more than 10 years in the making but will the Afro-Asian Games, which begin on Friday, be worth the wait? On the face of it, yes. Some new stadiums that are among the best in India, lots of money 8212; Rs 250 crores8212; spent, the unmatched celeb-handling skills of IMG and the organisational network of the Chandrababu Naidu government. So far so good.

There will be more than 2,000 athletes taking part and 1565 officials, but that8217;s another story. How many of them, though, you8217;d wish to watch in action is debatable. Here8217;s a handy guide:

BOXING

TIP: Watch

WHO8217;S COMING: Strong Asian presence, top boxers from South Korea and Uzbekistan and home team led by Commonwealth gold medallist Mohammad Ali Qamar and Asiad bronze-winner Jitender Kumar

BIG DAYS: Competition starts Oct 25, Qamar has bout on opening day. All finals on Oct 31

SWIMMING

TIP: Watchable

WHO8217;S COMING: China8217;s Asiad winners and home stars Shikha Tandon, Richa Mishra, Rehan Poncha

BIG DAYS: Oct 25 Tandon8217;s 50m freestyle, Oct 26 Poncha8217;s 200m butterfly

WEIGHTLIFTING

TIP: Avoid

WHO8217;S COMING: Sanamacha Chanu 53-kg category

WHO8217;S NOT: Almost everyone else 8212; most countries preparing for the World Championship next month. Even Malleswari will be skipping the event at home town

BIG DAY: Oct 27 Chanu8217;s event

ATHLETICS

TIP: Avoidable

WHO8217;S COMING: Anju George in her first show at home after recent feats. Possibly long-distance champ Haile Gebrselassie

WHO8217;S NOT: Most others, including Sri Lanka8217;s Damayanti Darsha 200m 038; 400m

BIG DAY: Oct 29 women8217;s long jump, sprints

MEN8217;S HOCKEY

TIP: Watch

WHO8217;S COMING: India, Pakistan, Korea, Malaysia,

WHO8217;S NOT: Dhanraj, Sohail Abbas

BIG DAYS: Oct 27 India-Pak, Oct 31 final

TENNIS

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TIP: Watch

WHO8217;S COMING: The top Indians: Bhupathi, Prakash Amritraj, Sania in her hometown

WHO8217;S NOT: Paradorn Srichaphan Thailand, Hisham Arazi Morocco

BIG DAYS: Oct 30, 31 the finals

FOOTBALL

TIP: Watchable

WHO8217;S COMING: India, Cameroon including two World Cuppers, Iran, South Korea

WHO8217;S NOT: Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, China, Japan

BIG DAY: Draw not yet taken place, final on Oct 31