Wednesday, August 30 2006 14:56 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Ace middle distance runner Pinki Pramanik and shot putter Navpreet Singh are among the five Indians in the Asian team for the Athletics World Cup to be contested in Athens, Greece, on September 16 and 17.

Pramanik, who wins three gold medals at the recently concludes South Asian Games in Colombo, has been in terrific form of late. She catches the eye of athletics fans by capturing five gold medals in three Asian Grand Prix circuit meets in May.

She has been selected for the 800m race as well as one of the runners in the women's 4x400m relay.

Shot putter Navpreet Singh, ranks 49th in the world at the moment, is the sole male athlete in the Indian contingent.

Top quarter miler Manjeet Kaur will fly the Indian flag in the 400m as well as the 1600m relay.

The notable absentees from the Asian team include world number eight long jumper Anju Bobby George, who pays the price for lacklustre performances and injuries this season, and Commonwealth Games discus throw silver medallist Seema Antil.

The Athletics World Cup is a unique quadrennial event on the world calendar with continental teams battling it out for the trophy.

However, apart from five continental sides, the United States and the winners and runners-up of the European Championships, Russia and France in this case, make up the eight contenders at the event, which has separate competitions for men and women.