India chasing the 500 mark

The Indian team, with 115 men and 104 women athletes, will be chasing a landmark as the XXI Commonwealth Games enters its competitive phase on Thursday.

And as they get off the blocks, the Indians will be on the lookout to get a good run and help the country get its 500th medal of the Games. For the record, India, which has taken part in all but four editions, now has 436 medals in its kitty.

The team management is hopeful that the side can finish within the top three in the overall medals tally and have an improved haul than in Glasgow 2014.

Speaking to The Hindu, chef-de-mission Vikram Singh Sisodia said though it was difficult to predict a definite number, it was expected that the side will, for sure, improve upon its Glasgow showing.

“To expect a record haul as it happened in New Delhi in 2010 will be a bit too much. But even though it is the start of a new season, the expectations of all the athletes and the coaches are that there is scope for a far better achievement here when compared to Glasgow 2014.”

It is only to be expected that the favourites and heavyweights in the team will deliver as expected and also motivate young stars to put their best foot forward and do the country proud in their respective disciplines.