The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) yesterday dropped 20 athletes from the Pencak Silat team for the upcoming Asian Games, alleging fake credentials, prompting the national federation to threaten legal action. When the IOA released a list of 524 athletes for the Asian Games on July 5, 22 athletes from pencak silat were selected to take part in the Asian Games, now the Olympic body has cleared only two members.

The Games are scheduled to be held in the Indonesian twin cities of Jakarta and Palembang from August 18. The Indian Pencak Silat Federation (IPSF), unhappy with the decision, said the certificate provided for the two approved athletes are the same as the 20 rejected players. "While talking with officials of the IOA, they said, 'we are confirming only 2 of your female athletes for the Asian Games'," IPSF, Secretary General, Mufti Hamid Yasin, told PTI.