Indians rub their media's noses in it

India's cricket-obsessed press and television journalists were left with egg on their faces yesterday as the country's Games contingent reaped an unprecedented medal haul.

Only a handful of Indian journalists were on hand to cover the nation's best display at a major sporting event. It produced 32 gold, 21 silver and 19 bronze medals. The tally lifted India into third place in the gold-medal count behind Australia and England. Team officials said they were not surprised that a horde of Indian reporters were covering the cricket team's tour of England, while the Commonwealth Games were virtually ignored.

Indian chef de mission Moolchand Chauhan said: "A cricket defeat makes more news than winning a gold medal."

Full coverage:
nzherald.co.nz/manchester2002

Medal table

Commonwealth Games info and related links