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Asian Games Chit Chat: India fined for last-minute pullouts

Last updated on: September 21, 2014 15:29 IST

India, Asian Games

India's flag-bearer, Sardar Singh, leads the team at the march past. Photograph: Issei Kato/Reuters

The Indian Olympic Association has been fined $10,000 for withdrawing teams from the Asian Games at a late stage, but All India Tennis Association chief Anil Khanna is hopeful that the penalty would be withdrawn.

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Interestingly, the Indian contingent's chef de mission and Athletics Federation of India President Adille Sumariwalla said that he was not aware of any such development.

Khanna, meanwhile, said he overheard that the fine would be imposed on India for withdrawing "rugby men's team and another team".

"I then requested them to reconsider the fine. I am hopeful the matter would be resolved. It's a small issue, why make it big," he asked.

Earlier, Sumariwalla said, "Not to my knowledge. I believe this was discussed at the OCA meeting yesterday. I doubt any fine has been imposed so far. You can ask Anil Khanna about it."

A huge list of participants and officials had been forwarded by the IOA to the Sports Ministry ahead of the Games. The Ministry pruned the list and also made it clear that no one can send anyone to Incheon at "no cost to the government".

After some more persuasion on the size of the contingent, already an imposing 679, was boosted to 722 which was the figure given by Sumariwalla after the Indian flag was raised at the athletes village.

UAE judokas disqualified over residency

Judo, UAE

Kirill Denisov of Russia (white) competes with Romain Ivan Remarenco of Republic of Moldova during the Men's 90 kg Judo on Day 5 of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The United Arab Emirates' three-man judo team has been thrown out of the Asian Games for failing to meet the required residency rules, an official said on Sunday.

Victor Scvortov, Mihail Marchitan and Ivan Remarenco have all switched allegiance from Moldova to the UAE over the past couple of years.

"Scvortov has been disqualified last night as he did not follow the three-year residency rule for naturalized citizens by OCA," said Che Kuong Hon, the Games technigal delegate for Judo.

Scvortov is ranked number one in the world in the -73kg category by the International Judo Federation and was one of the favourites for gold in Incheon.