HYDERABAD, India, Oct. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Asian sports powerhouse China sends a large delegation of 108 athletes and officials to take part in five out of eight sports competitions at the 1st Afro-Asian Games to be opened here later Friday.

Eleven swimmers, the first batch of Chinese delegation have arrived at Hyderabad on Friday. They will try to beat back challenges from their South African counterparts in the pool.

The other Chinese athletes, including some world class weight-lifters, sharpshooters and women's field hockey team, will arrive later.

Chinese weight-lifters and sharpshooters will be a dominant force at the games while in track and field, African athletes are expected to take the upper hand.