New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association today announced that it would send a contingent of 208 members to participate in the 5th Asian Beach Games starting from the 24th of September 2016 at Danang, Vietnam.

Indian Olympic Association is sending a larger contingent this year as compared to the last games held in Phuket 2014 where about 117 athletes participated. The athletes will participate in a total of 13 disciplines which include, swimming, Kabaddi, Handball, Kurash, Pencak Silat, Sambo, Ju-Jitsu, Woodball, Sepaktaklaw, Pentaque, Shuttlecock, Voninam and Muay Thai.

The Asian Games held in 2014 in Phuket, saw India take home 2 gold medals, 1 silver medal and 7 bronze medals. In the overall medal tally India stands at a world rank of number 9, with a total of 10 gold medals, 1 silver medal and 11 bronze medals. This time around with a much larger contingent, India is hoping on to get more medals. The athletes have started departing for Vietnam, where the games are held this year.

Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General, Indian Olympic Association said, “ We are sending a bigger contingent this time for the Asian Beach Games. I wish them all the very best for the games. We are expecting India to win maximum medals this year, and also improve their overall medal tally.”