Kalmadi hopes for better show from athletes

After years of struggle, Indian athletes have made excellent strides at the Asian level, giving hope for a much better show at next week's Sydney Olympic Games, Suresh Kalmadi, president of the Amateur Athletics Federation of India, said on Friday.

"We have done very well (at the Jakarta Asian Track and Field Athletic Meet) and in the Olympics we expect our athletes to shine," said Kalmadi, who is also president of the Indian Olympic Association.

The AAFI, which is sending a 24-member athletics squad, in a 63-member contingent, to the Sydney Games - its biggest-ever at the Olympics - is hoping that some of its athletes will at least make it to the finals.

In a bid to boost their confidence, Samsung, the official sponsors of the Indian Olympic team, announced major cash incentives for medal winners at a send off ceremony for the third and final batch of athletes in Delhi.

The Korean communications giant said it will reward each Indian Olympic gold medal winner Rs 1.4 million, silver winner Rs 800,000 and bronze medallist Rs 500,000.

Kalmadi, who recently took over as president of the Asian Amateur Athletic Association after winning a close vote in Jakarta, said his victory over long-serving Indonesian Bob Hassan was possible only because of the performance of the Indian squad there.

"They (athletes) have done very well... they have given us new hope," he said.