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India aiming 2nd spot: Kalita

By The Assam Tribune

NEW DELHI, Sept 30 (PTI): India have never been placed higher than a fourth-place spot in the Commonwealth Games but Chef de Mission Bhubaneswar Kalita today said that this time they are aiming their best result of a second-place finish in the mega event starting on Sunday.

India finished fourth in both 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games but Kalita expressed confidence that the country�s athletes are primed to secure second position in the Games.

�We are quiet hopeful about our performance. Our performance will be better than the last time. We are aiming to be second position in the medals tally and we are not going to compromise below third,� Kalita told in a press conference at Commonwealth Games Village here. He said the country is expecting more medals in swimming, archery, boxing, shooting and squash.

�We hope to get at least 8-9 medals in each 17 sports discipline,� he said. India won 49 medals � 22 gold, 17 silver and 10 bronze � in the 2006 games in Melbourne. Kalita also said that the country would field the largest contingent of athletes in the Commonwealth Games.

�India, being the host country, has the advantage to have more athletes. Some of our athletes have not arrived yet. They will be coming in batches and we will have our full strength ready latest by October 8. We will have maximum number of participants,� he said.

About 400 Indian athletes and officials have arrived so far in the Games Village, including the likes of archer Dola Banerjee, boxers Vijender Singh and Akhil Kumar, shooters Abhinav Bindra, Gagan Narang and Samresh Jung.

Kalita also informed about the dress the Indians will wear on the opening and closing ceremonies.

�During march past in the opening ceremony, men will wear maroon-colour sherwani and women will wear sarees in red and green colour. The welcome cremony will be held tomorrow,� he said.

He denied reports on filthiness inside the residential areas of Indian athletes and said the the Athletes� Village was the best in any Games.

�Our athletes have been allotted 640 beds in three towers in the Village. Every room has two beds for athletes to share. They all are air conditioned and have attached bathroom with them. Washing machine and refrigerators have also been provided in each flat.

�Athletes are satisfied with all arrangements especially security. There is no case of major disease or major ailment. Everyone is healthy and aiming to make a mark in Commonwealth Games. We have been to different Games and Olympics too. The arrangements been made here are the best. There is also a meeting everyday at the Games Village to discuss and resolve complaints, if any,� the Chef de Mission said.

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