41-member squad likely for Doha Asian Games: Lalit Bhanot

Chennai, Nov 5 (UNI) A 41-member squad is likely to represent the country in the Doha Asian Games scheduled to be held next month.

Athletics Federation of India secretary Lalit Bhanot told reporters here, after a selection committee meeting today, that the final squad would be known by this month end.

''We may send a squad of 41. However, trials are scheduled to be held in certain events as the selection panel felt that a few more athletes stand a chance for medals at the Games,'' he said.

Mr Bhanot said the national records were not the criterion for the selection of athletes for the Games.

He said the trials would be held for K M Binu, 400m runner, Ashiq Beevi, women's 400m hurdler, as both missed a number of meets due to illness.

''K.M. Binu (Kerala) had trained in Ukraine and had posted very good timings. Coaches informed the federation that he has the capability to crack 45 seconds. Likewise, Ashiq (Andhra Pradesh) had posted some excellent timings before her illness. So the federation felt that both these should be given trials,'' he said The trials would be held in Delhi on November 11. It may be recalled that Binu had run in the 400m heats in the Inter-state event here and proved his fitness.

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