India survive scare before Games

India almost lost out on a medal before the Asian Games had even begun when star billiards player Geet Sethi's name was mysteriously missing from the entries list.

Sethi figured among the entrants for pool instead of his favourite billiards event, giving Indian officials a scare.

The world billiards champion was switched back to his preferred event after meetings between officials of the Olympic Council of Asia, Indian Olympic Association and the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India.

Indian chef-de-mission Jagdish Tytler confirmed that Sethi had received the green light to play and put the blame on the Busan Asian Games Organising Committee (BAGOC) for the confusion.

"As far as we (Indian Olympic Association) are concerned, we had got a confirmation from the organisers after sending our final list of entries, which included Sethi's name," said Tytler.

Sethi is one of India's main hopes and helped India dominate billiards in the last edition of the Games at Bangkok.

He had lost to Ashok Shandilya in the singles final, but combined with him to win the doubles gold for India.

"Geet is a classy player and his vast experience puts him way ahead of others," said Indian team official Ravi Tandon. "His stature is such that players hope they don't have to play him."