India, Sept. 2 -- The sports ministry on Wednesday cleared the names of 246 coaches and support staff members to accompany Indian athletes at the upcoming Asian Games that begin in Japan's Aichi-Nagoya on September 19. The number of athletes has also been increased from 492 (265 men and 227 women) to 503 (269 male & 234 female) following the addition of the four-member surfing team, six track and field athletes and one Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athlete. The total strength of the Indian contingent now stands at 768.

Praveen Kumar (Hammer throw), Harita Bhadra (200m), Kiran Pahal (400m), Asha Ilango (triple jump), Sindhushree Ganesha (pole vault), Sanya Yadav (discus throw) are the additions to the athletics team while Varun Sanyal has beem...