Ashok Pandit to be India's flagbearer in 10th South Asian Games

New Delhi, Aug 14 (UNI) Commonwealth Games Gold medallist shooter Ashok Pandit will be the flag bearer of India's 418-member contingent for the 10th South Asian Games starting August 18 in Colombo.

The contingent comprises 214 male and 198 female sportsprsons, who will be participating in 17 sports, an Indian Olympic Association (IOA) release said here today.

A 24-member team is already in Colombo for the football competitions which started today.

Apart from football, India would be particpating in archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, hockey, judo, kabbadi, rowing, shooting, squash, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball and wushu.

The contingent also comprises 55 coaches, eight of whom are women.

Rangil Singh has been appointed as the Chef de Mission with Kamlesh Chatterjee as his deputy.

India had sent a 320-member contingent in the last edition of the Games, which were held in Islamabad, and had participated in 15 sports.

UNI PM DH KN1805