India will field its biggest ever contingent in the upcoming Asian Games in China with the Sports Ministry today clearing 843 names, including 609 athletes. The huge contingent includes 127 coaches, 44 managers, eight doctors, seven physiotherapists, six masseurs, nine technical officials and 33 officials. With 71 sportspersons (40 men and 31 women), athletics forms the largest chunk of the pack for the Games, to be held from November 12 to 27.Shooting has the second largest team with 40 competitors comprising 25 men and 15 women. In the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, India had sent 432 athletes to compete in 31 disciplines and finished eighth in the medals tally. They had a haul of 53 medals including 10 gold, 17 silver and 26 bronze. The Sports Ministry has approved the list of the participants. A release in New Delhi says that the participation of 609 sportspersons, 127 coaches, eight doctors, six masseurs/masseuse, 33 officials and 1 manager (hockey) has been cleared at cost to government. The participation of nine technical officials has been cleared at air passage cost and participation of 43 managers has been cleared at no cost to Government.