Panaji, Jan 13 (IANS): Twelve Portuguese Commonwealth countries will be participating in the forthcoming Lusofonia Games in Goa even as the much anticipated football teams from Portugal and Brazil have failed to confirm their presence, according to the organisers.

A statement issued by the Games organisers said 739 athletes from 12 Portuguese speaking countries would be taking part in the multi-sport tourney scheduled to be held in Goa from January 18-29.

Hosts India lead the participating nations with a contingent of 200 athletes followed by Macau (China) with 112 athletes, Angola (75), Mozambique (80), Sri Lanka (64), Portugal (56), Sao Tome and Principe (35), Cape Verde (35), Guinea Bissau (29), East Timor (26), Equatorial Guinea (20) and Brazil (7).

Athletics accounts for a majority of the participating sportspersons with 174 athletes scheduled to participate in the Games. The Indian contingent will have 40 male and 38 female athletes.

Beach Volleyball will see participation from 10 countries while six nations will battle it out on the football field - namely hosts Goa (India), Macau (China), Sri Lanka, Sao Tome and Principe, Mozambique and East Timor.

Participating countries in the Lusofonia Games 2014 are founding members Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Goa (India), Macau (China), Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe and Sri Lanka.

Athletes from the 12 nations will compete in 9 different disciplines - Athletics, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Football, Judo, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Volleyball and Wushu.