By Emily Goddard

OCA flagJune 14 - Indian athletes will be able to take part in the 2013 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, despite being banned, as the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has agreed to take them under its wing.

Thirty-five athletes and 11 officials from four sports have received Government clearing to take part in the continental multisport event, taking place in Incheon, South Korea from June 29 to July 6, under the OCA banner - although most of them will be doing so at their own expense.

"As the IOA (Indian Olympic Association) has been suspended by International Olympic Committee [since December last], the Indian athletes will take part in the event under the banner of OCA," Randhir Singh, the OCA secretary general who is currently the sole representative for India on the IOC, said.

"The OCA have got the entries of the Indian athletes, some will be taking part at Government cost and some at their own cost."

There had originally been confusion surrounding who should send Indian athletes to the event, but acting IOA chief V K Malhotra sent the entries to the OCA, their respective federations and the Sports Ministry for inclusion.

As one of the first five founding members of the Asian Games Federation in February 1949, India has participated in every Asian Games since their inception in 1951.

The nation's athletes have won a collective total of 86 medals - 22 gold, 21 silver and 43 bronze - at the 2005, 2007 and 2009 Asian Indoor Games.

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