Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi said, India can expect athletes to return from Beijing with medals in boxing, tennis and shooting. Addressing a send-off ceremony for the first batch of the 57-member contingent, Kalmadi said he was hoping the 'Indian Express' pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi to put behind their stormy relation and strike it big in Beijing. "I'm happy that Bhupathi is teaming up with Leander. They have done their national duty. I wish them all the best," Kalmadi said. "I've my hopes on Sania (Mirza) also. She and Sunitha (Rao) can pull off a surprise in Beijing," he said. According to him, India had fair chances of winning medals in shooting with a nine-member contingent spearheading the Indian challenge. "Hopefully we'll win medals in Beijing. The shooters are right on top of the list and I'm expecting the boxers as well to win there. We have strong chance in archery and then of course you have tennis doubles," the IOA chief said.

Kalmadi said the Indian contingent, accompanied by 42 support staff, would depart in batches.