India will win more medals in London Olympics than Bejing: IOA

Exuding confidence of a better showing by India in the London Olympics, IOA, on Monday, said it would provide all possible help to the sportspersons' preparations.

"We are hopeful that our medal tally in this year's Olympics will better than the 2008 Beijing Olympiad where we had bagged three medals," IOA Acting President Vijay Kumar Malhotra said in New Delhi.

India is expected to take part in 15 disciplines -- Aquatics, Athletics, Archery, Boxing, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Shooting, Rowing, Sailing, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling -- subject to qualifications.

He said the IOA's assessment of more medals this time is based on the performance of sportspersons in various international competitions and Olympic qualifiers.

"IOA is committed to provide all possible help to the sportspersons who have and will qualify for Olympics. There is going to be no lack of funds for them so I hope this time the sportspersons will bring more good news for the countrymen," he said.

Malhotra said the IOA has asked the concerned sports federations to specifically find out the requirements of the athletes who have qualified and are likely to qualify for the London Olympics to provide them top-class coaching and training facilities.

"We will do our best to provide those facilities to the players. Lack of funds or facilities are not going to be excuses any more," he said.

He said he was hopeful that more shooters, archers and boxers will qualify to fill up the remaining slots.

"It is a very good sign for the Indian sports that now International sporting fraternity is looking at sports persons from our country with respect and awe."

Malhotra said he shares the sentiments of the hockey fans in hoping for the national team's qualification for London Olympics.

"I fervently hope that our hockey teams (men and women) will make it to London. I was also deeply disappointed when we failed to qualify for Beijing Olympics last time. I hope this time our teams will win the Olympic qualifiers to be held next month here," he said.

So far 25 Indian sportspersons have qualified for London Olympics.

Archery: Jayant Talukdar, Deepika  Kumari, L Bombayala Devi and Chekrovolu Swuro;
Swimming: Virdhawal Khade and Sandeep Sejwal;
Athletics: Babubhai Panucha, Gurmeet Singh, Vikas Gowda, Om Prakash, Myookha Johny, Tintu Luka and Krishna Poonia;
Boxing: Devendro Laishram, Jai Bhagwan, Manoj Kumar and Vikas Krishan;
Shooting: Abhinav Bindra, Ronjon Sodhi, Sanjeev Rajput, Vijay Kumar, Gagan Narang, Hari Om Singh, Rahi Sarnobat and Anuraj Singh.