Ashok Pandit, the Indian flag-bearer at SAG

Countdown to the South Asian Games with Dinesh Weerawansa

Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Ashok Pandit will be the Indian flag-bearer at Friday's mega opening ceremony at Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Shooter Pandit will be the overall captain of India's 418-member contingent for the 20-discipline Games. The proud flag-bearer for the host nation Sri Lanka would be Olympic medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe, who competes in women's 100m and 200m events.

The Indian contingent for Colombo Games comprises 298 men and 120 women. They will be participating in 17 disciplines, according the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Rangil Singh will be the Chef-de-mission of the Indian contingent with Kamlesh Chatterjee as his deputy.

This will be the largest ever contingent fielded by India in the SA Games history. India sent only a 320-member contingent for the last Games in Islamabad, 2004.

Meanwhile, Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) secretary, Khalid Mahmood has claimed that their athletes would bag four gold medals, seven silver and ten bronze medals.

At the last Games in Islamabad two years ago, Pakistan won five gold medals, eight silver and 12 bronze medals.

"The number of medals we are now expecting is less to what we won two years ago. But being realistic, we have set a modest target keeping in view strength of India and Sri Lanka," Khalid was quoted as saying.

Against the tough challenge they have to face from India and the hosts Sri Lanka, Pakistan will find it tough to strike the gold in badminton. Naqi Mohsin, technical director of the Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF), said they have to face a huge challenge in Colombo.

"India and Sri Lanka have very good players and we are pinning hopes only on national champion Wajid Ali. It's hard to predict," he was quoted as saying. But, he said they will focus on the silver medal.

The organisers have decided to award bronze medals to both the third and fourth teams without holding a play off for the third place.

Pakistan Weightlifting Federation secretary Hafiz Imran Butt, hopes to claim four gold medals as against two gold, three silver medals Pakistan won in 2004.