The last date for the entries was September 10 and the reconfirmation of the same was scheduled for September 13. The groupings will be done today.

With the suspense over, the team's participation dispelled, the focus would be on India's performance against likes of Asian powerhouses -- Japan, China and Korea -- at the Games.

Chief national coach and Dronacharya award winner Ramana Rao, sounded positive. ``We have every chance of winning a medal. The trio may be rated as the best teams in Asia but our chances of winning a medal cannot be ruled out as our boys have shown tremendous improvement over the past three years. Previously, there were quite a few fluctuations which ruined our chances, but now it is a different ball game altogether. Our boys are eager to bring home a medal,'' he said.

Rao said the squad has already served athreat to Japan's senior national team, which is preparing for the world championship, by pulling them to four sets in the four-nation tourney in the Czech Republic.

``In that tourney, we lost a five-setter to Germany and beat twice the Czech's second string team in straight sets. Even last month, we ended up winning the silver medal in the Central Asian zone senior championship.''

He further said that among the 16 members in the training camp, five -- Joby Joseph, Amir Singh, Surjit Singh, Ravikanth Reddy and Rajesh -- are regulars in the Gulf league. They have enough experience and it would count very much for the team in the Games, he felt.

The coach pointed out that the team is in Bangalore for the preparatory camp. ``We have been undergoing training since January this year and it would continue up to the Games. At present, we need to improvise in areas like defence, block, power serve and most of all, the fighting qualities. Our boys are shaping up well in every department and by the time the showbegins, they would be fit and rarin' to go.''

Regarding introduction of libero at the Games, the coach said they tried it out in the Czech tourney. ``India utilised Amman as a libero and he did his job to perfection. However, since Amman is not in the 16 selected for the camp, Raj Vinod would be the player to depend on. Raj has got all the qualities of a libero.'' He added that they may have a couple of more players trained for the libero duty before the Games begin.

For the record, the last time that India figured in the Games was in 1986. India defeated Japan to bag the bronze. Since then, the team had not found a place in the Games as they were termed as no-medal prospects. Prior to the '90 and '94 Games, the team had lost to Pakistan in the SAF Games.

However, this year, the team has survived a few initial hiccups before booking a ticket to Bangkok.

Rao felt sad that volleyballers were not being considered for the Arjuna award for the past four years despite VFI's recommendations. ``Our playersare quite upset that they have not been recognised for this prestigious award. Players like Sukhpal Singh, Ramana and Joby Joseph should have got the award by this time. They are excellent players and are all worthy of the award. Sukhpal and Ramana have been in the team since '84 and for how long can they keep playing to gain the award?'' he queried.