As the 35th National Games gets under way in Kerala on Saturday, there is a lot at stake for the host state. It is incumbent upon Kerala to make the home advantage count and improve its standing. While the state figured in only 12 of the 34 events’ medal tally in the 2011 Games held at Jharkhand, it is expected to lay claim to a major share of the 33 disciplines this time
Athletics
Schedule: Feb 9 – Feb 13
Venue: University Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
Medals at stake: 132 (44+44+44)
Medals expected: 40 (at least 15 gold medals)
In 2011 J’khand: 27 (9+10+8)
Lowdown: The athletics team is hopeful of improving its medal tally this time. However, losing the likes of Olympian P Kunhumohammed and high jumper Jithin C Thomas to Services will hurt the men’s team
Canoeing and Kayaking
Schedule: Feb 9 – Feb 13
Venue: Vembanad Lake
Medals at stake: 108 (36+36+36)
Medals expected: 25 ( up to 10 gold medals)
In 2011 J’khand: 12 (5+4+3)
Hopefuls: The strongest prospects are for the four-member women’s canoe team in 200m, 500m and 1,000m (In pic: K Minimol)
Cycling
Schedule: Feb 5 – Feb 13
Venue: LNCPE Velodrome, Kariavattom,
Thiruvananthapuram
Medals at stake: 60 (20+20+20)
Medals expected: 10
In 2011 J’khand: 15 (4+6+5)
Lowdown: The cycling team is not as strong as it was a few years back and now has a group of youngsters who are yet to reach their prime. Mahitha Mohan and Vinaya Vijayan are expected to grab medals
Swimming
Schedule: Feb 1 - Feb 7
Venue : International Swimming Pool, Thiruvananthapuram
Medals at stake: 40
Medals expected: 10 (5 gold medals)
In 2011 J’khand: Nil
Hopefuls: Anoop Augustine, Anand AS, Pooja Alva and Sajan Prakash (each of them will compete in multiple events)
Taekwondo
Schedule: Feb 10 - Feb 13
Venue: Agricultural College Indoor Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
Medals at stake: 64 (16+16+32)
Medals expected: 8 (at least 3 gold medals)
In 2011 J’khand: 1 (0+0+1)
Hopefuls: Manu George, Haritha C K, Maria Margaret Reji,K S Ananthu, Reshma V and Milan Devi
Fencing
Schedule: Feb 9 – Feb 13
Venue: CIAL Convention Centre, Nedumbassery
Medals at stake: 48 (12+12+24)
Medals expected: 7 (at least two gold)
In 2011 J’khand: 5 (2+2+1)
Hopefuls: Women sabre, foil and epee and men’s foil teams; international C A Bhavani Devi (sabre, in pic), Dilna VP (epee) and Stefitha Chalil (epee) in individual contests
Table Tennis
Schedule: Feb 1 – Feb 5
Venue: Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Kochi
Medals at stake: 28 (7+7+14)
Medals expected: 2
In 2011, J’khand: Nil
Hopefuls: Women’s team and women’s doubles pair of Maria Rony and Seraha Jacob
Boxing
Schedule: Feb 9 – Feb 13
Venue: Indoor Stadium, Mundayad, Kannur
Medals at stake: 80 (20+20+40)
Medals expected: 2
In 2011 J’khand: 1 (0+0+1)
Lowdown: The cutting down of weight categories in women’s boxing by the Indian Olympic Association has harmed Kerala’s medal propsects at the 35th National Games. A bronze medal each in the men’s and women’s comepitions is only what the state camp expects in the Games.
Kho kho
Schedule: Feb 1 – Feb 5
Venue: Sreepadam Stadium, Attingal,Thiruvananthapuram
Medals at stake: 8 (2+2+4)
Medals expected: 2 (both gold medals)
In 2011 J’khand: 2 (1+0+1)
Lowdown: The kho kho team won the women’s competition last time around but had to settle with a bronze in the men’s competition. This time around though,they are hopeful of making a clean sweep in both categories.
