IOA chief wishes Asiad bound Indian athletes

New Delhi, Aug 28 (IANS)

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president N. Ramachandran wished the Asian Games bound Indian contingent at a function on Thursday.

"I wish the Indian team all the best for the Asian Games. I know it will be difficult to participate at the Asian Games so soon after the Commonwealth Games but hopefully they will be able to win more medals for the country," said Ramachandran at the Samsung Sports Ratna official send-off ceremony of the Indian athletes for the Asiad.

"The athletes have worked hard and brought laurels for the country at the Commonwealth Games. For us, athletes always comes first and then the administrators. They are the true flag-bearers of the country," added Ramachandran, who is also the president of the World Squash Federation (WSF).

The IOA chief, however, refused to comment on the controversy surrounding the Boxing India elections and the football team's government funding for the Asiad.

The Asian Games will be held in Incheon, South Korea, from 19^th September to 4^th October.