Samsung to sponsor
Asian Games contingent

India is likely to take part in 26 out of 38 disciplines at the Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, in September this year.

In its quest to exceed the tally of seven gold, 11 silver and 17 bronze medals it won at the last Asian Games in Bangkok, the Indian Olympic Association has roped in Korean electronic giant Samsung as the official sponsor of the Indian contingent.

After signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Samsung in Delhi on Tuesday, IOA president Suresh Kalmadi expressed confidence that India would better the showing of the previous Games in Bangkok.

Samsung vice-president Ravinder Zutsi, who signed the MoU, said the sponsorship amount of Rs two million would go towards the preparation of the Indian contingent and its participation in the Asiad.

Samsung had previously sponsored the Indian contingent for the Bangkok Asian Games and 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Kalmadi announced that Jagdish Tytler, president of the Judo Federation of India, would be the chef-de-mission of the Indian contingent for the Games.

Table Tennis Federation of India secretary Mool Chand Chowhan has already been made the chef-de-mission of the Indian squad for the Commonwealth Games, to be held in Manchester, England, next month.

Kalmadi informed the selection norms laid down by the government for the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games is the fourth place performance at the last edition of the respective Games or the Asian Championships, in case of the Asiad.

IOA secretary-general Randhir Singh said the number of disciplines India would participate in could go down depending on athletes fulfilling the selection criteria.

India had taken part in 23 disciplines at Bangkok.