Mumbai, Aug. 25 -- The union sports ministry's decision to exclude five tennis players from the Indian contingent for next month's Asian Games has left them disappointed at losing their "opportunity to compete", at the very least, after being selected.

"Winning a medal is never guaranteed in sport. If it were, there would be no competition," Vaidehee Chaudhari, India No.3 in women's singles, said on Monday. "Athletes prepare to fight for medals, not to be guaranteed one. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose - but the opportunity to compete is what every athlete deserves."

From the 12-member squad picked by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) in June for the continental event, the ministry left out the five over its criteria laid ou...