Kerala eyes top slots

Guwahati, Feb 11 (UNI) The Kerala contingent is hoping to end the 33rd National Games in the top slots bettering its previous standing -- a sixth position in the medal tally at Hyderabad-2002.

The team was placed second in the Manipur Games, though it would have come first had new rules not come into force. The Punjab Games saw Kerala in the fourth position.

Chef-de-mission of Kerala S Rajeev, talking to UNI here today, said, ''We are hoping to clinch the third or fourth position in the overall medal tally this time.'' ''The team is expected to put up a good show in the pool, with both the men's and women's teams being the defending champions,'' he added.

He also expected a few Gold medals in the boxing events.

Other events in which the state was likely to be among the winners, according to the chef-de-mission, were volleyball (men and women), cycling and badminton.

He said, ''we have strong teams in rowing and kayaking and canoeing. We are expecting a few medals in these events also.'' However, he added, football could be a disappointment for the state as the front line players were missing.

''We have second rung team this time, we are not very hopeful in this event.'' Mr Rajeev further said athletics was another discipline the state would not be able to fare too well as the international level players from Kereral were not playing.

The state is competing in 18 disciplines at the 33rd National Games, with a contingent size of 390 players.

UNI