India is taking part in 19 disciplines and at various venues. On any given day the number of venues when Indians are taking part is between six to 10. And since the number of doctors is only five -- in between Vece Paes had to fly down to Calcutta to attend his mother's funeral -- many of the Indian participants will have to depend on the medical support the hosts have provided. It is no secret that these days all teams have their own medical teams accompanying them. For instance, the Chinese have brought in more than 40 doctors and physios and theJapanese have an equal number.

On certain days India will be taking part in four to five events -- yachting, canoeing and kayaking, squash and rowing -- in Pattaya, which is two hours from Bangkok, but there may not be any doctor available to be sent there.

While the number of actual participants is `about' 230, the number of officials is at least half that number. Many, however, claim they are not on government expense. Maybe, but they get their departments or employers to pay for them. Many others get their bills paid by the federations, who incidentally depend on the government for grants.

Surely, the IOA or the ministry could have arranged for some more doctors, if they were so interested in sending such a huge contingent. While Indian athletes are busy finishing off their events in a hurry, Indian officials are busy attending meetings. And some of the officials are so short on time that they attend a meeting here, go back to India and will then be back in Bangkok in time for the last stages of theGames.

After all, round trips between Bangkok or any of the major Indian cities like Delhi, Chennai or Mumbai would be equal to or even cheaper than domestic travel in India.