India's athletics contingent for Glasgow Commonwealth Games reduced from 41 to 32

Vikas Gowda

New Delhi, July 16 (IANS): The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has announced a 32-member Indian team for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from July 23-Aug 3, thus bringing down the number to 32 from 41 selected originally.

India's track and field squad, comprising of 17 women and 15 men in addition to 12 coaches and three support staff, will be seen in action in track and field competitions from July 27 to Aug 2.

After announcing the squad, chairman of the selection committee and former Olympian Gurbachan Singh Randhawa said: "We have selected the best medal prospects and it is a fine blend of experienced and talented youngsters."

AAFI president and former Olympian Adille J. Sumariwalla said: "The previous Commonwealth Games in Delhi produced a record haul for Indian athletics. It's always challenging to emulate success but we are sending a bunch of very talented and motivated athletes who will spare no efforts to bring glory to the nation."

The first batch of Indian athletics squad comprising of 26 members, including the coaching and support staff, reached Glasgow Monday for acclimatisation and competition.

The team:

Men

4x400 M Relay: Rajiv Arokia, Kuni Mohammed, Sachin Roby, Lalit Mathur, Jithu Baby, Jibin S

110MH: Siddhanth Thingalaya

Triple Jump: Arpinder Singh

Shot Put: Om Prakash

Discus Throw: Vikas Gowda

Javelin Throw: Ravinder Singh Khaira; Devinder Singh, Vipin Kasana

Hammer Throw: Kamalpreet Singh, Chandrodaya N. Singh.

Women

4x100 M Relay: Saradha Narayan, H. M. Jyothi, Sarbani Nanda, Asha Roy, Santhini Vallikkad, Merlin K. Joseph

4x400 M Relay: M R Poovamma, Tintu Luka, Debashree Majumdar, Ratandeep Kaur, Anilda Thomas, Ashwini Akkunji

High Jump: Sahana Kumari

Long Jump: Mayookha Jony

Discus Throw: Seema Punia, Krishna Poonia

Javelin Throw: Annu Rani.

Coaches and support staff

Chief coach: Bahadur Singh

Manager: P. K. Srivastava

Jump coach: Shyam Kumar

Sprint coach: P.T. Usha; Ramesh (400m women); Vinayaikin (100m); Anatoly Vardha (400m men)

Throw coach (Shot put): Shakti Singh

Throw coach (Discus): Shiv Gowda; Ankush Punia; Virender Poonia

Throw coach (Javelin): Kashinath

Physiotherapist: Kamalpreet Walia

Masseur: Baibu

Recovery Expert: Andre Filimonua.