Chef de Mission GS Mander Singh confirmed the list of events which the apex sports body had finalised for communicating to the Games organisers to meet the deadline for submitting entries by names. He, however, said a final shape was yet to be given to the number of entries to be sent in each event.The squad will be around 275, including 200 competitors, Mander Singh said.

The IOA's screening committee felt India stood a strong medal chance in 16 events -- archery (men), athletics (men and women), billiards and snooker, boxing, canoeing and kayaking (men), equestrian, golf (men), hockey (men and women), judo (men and women), kabaddi, rowing (men), shooting (men and women), tennis (men and women), weightlifting (men and women), wrestling and yachting.

Men's footballand swimming, besides badminton, have also been cleared. Mander Singh said both football and swimming were compulsory events for the 2001 Afro-Asian Games to be held in India and hence they should be cleared for exposure. National badminton champions P Gopi Chand and Aparna Popat deserved to get the nod considering their track record, he added.

IOA secretary general Randhir Singh, Mander Singh and Lalit Bhanot, Amateur Athletic Federation of India secretary, who are part of the screening committee were, however, still into informal discussions on whether volleyball and women's football could be considered. Mander Singh said 22 federations -- including squash and table tennis -- had sent in their entries for consideration out of which IOA arrived at clearance for the 19 events.

He did not give out the list of entries, saying that there could be further pruning in the number and said the list would be made available in a day or two.

The usual uncertainties ahead of major international meets was evident asthe IOA top brass once again were unable give a clear picture on the Indian contingent.

When asked when IOA planned to fax the entries to Bagoc, the Games organisers, Mander Singh said, ``Today (Friday) is the last date by name. But it can go on till November 8 or 9.''

He was also not categorical whether the picture was final, especially regarding to volleyball and women's football which were considered certainties till yesterday.

``As of now, entries can go on till midnight. These events are not there at this time. But there could still be consultations,'' he said. He confirmed all federations had submitted entries to IOA.

Bhanot declined to release the list of athletes submitted to IOA, saying that 30-odd names had been forwarded. But the list could pruned to around 25 by November 18 as the inter-state meet to be held in Calcutta from November 15 to 17 was the final trials. The third place performance in the 1994 Asian Games at Hiroshima or the recent Fukuoka Asian Championship, whichever is higher,is the qualifying mark.

Randhir Singh said volleyball was not cleared as India had finished ninth in the recent Asian Championship and it was felt it had no chance of coming near medals.