IOA adds one member to pencak silat squad

NEW DELHI: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Friday added one member to the truncated pencak silat squad for the Asian Games before submitting the final list of the 541-member Indian contingent to the Sports Ministry.

The IOA has added bridge, men’s handball and sport climbing to the final list after initially announcing a 524-member contingent on July 3.

The national Olympic body, which had dropped as many as 20 athletes from the pencak silat squad earlier this month, has now added another member to make it a three-member team comprising Sonia, Simran, and Boynao Singh.

A 24-member bridge unit has also been accommodated, so has been a 16-member men’s handball squad besides the addition of three athletes in sports climbing.

However, the IOA is yet to announce the list of officials travelling to the Games.

TEAM PULLS OUT

MANILA: The Philippines national basketball team said Friday it has pulled out of the Asian Games as it prepares to appeal sanctions handed down over a nasty on-court brawl with Australia at a World Cup qualifier.

Basketball’s governing body FIBA suspended 10 players and two coaches from the Philippines national squad over the melee, which saw players and fans exchanging wild punches and flying kicks at the July 2 match in Manila.

“We don’t have the time and chance to send an optimal team for the Games. We will focus to build up on the next round of the world qualifying,” president of the Philippine basketball federation (SBP) Al Panlilio said.