New Delhi, Sept 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent competing at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, and said the country was proud of its athletes for their hard work, dedication and determination.
“As the Asian Games commence in Aichi-Nagoya, my best wishes to the Indian contingent. Each athlete has worked incredibly hard and shown remarkable dedication and determination. India is proud of them. May they give their best, play well and shine!” Modi said in a post on X.
The Asian Games were formally inaugurated at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, where Japan’s Emperor Naruhito declared the continental sporting extravaganza open. The event brings together thousands of athletes from across Asia for two weeks of competition.
India’s participation in the opening ceremony carried particular significance, with Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat leading the contingent into the stadium.
Holding the Indian Tricolour high, the two athletes represented different sporting disciplines while leading a team aiming to build on India’s record-breaking performance at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
India won 107 medals in Hangzhou, including 28 gold medals, and will now seek to improve upon that performance in Aichi-Nagoya.
The Asian Games have a long history with India, with the inaugural edition held in New Delhi in 1951. The first Games featured 489 athletes from 11 countries. Since then, the continental sporting event has been hosted 19 times.
The Aichi-Nagoya Games mark the 20th edition of the Asian Games and Japan’s third time hosting the event. Japan previously hosted the continental Games in Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994. This edition features athletes from 45 countries and regions competing across 43 sports.
India will enter the competition as defending champions in men’s and women’s cricket and kabaddi. The Indian men’s hockey team will also aim to retain its Asian Games title.
In badminton, PV Sindhu will lead India’s campaign, while Mirabai Chanu will spearhead the weightlifting contingent. Bhaker is among the country’s leading shooting prospects, while wrestler Aman Sehrawat will carry India’s challenge on the mat.
Boxer Lovlina Borgohain will also be among the prominent Indian competitors. Athletics will have a sizeable Indian presence, with more than 75 track and field athletes expected to compete.
Among the leading names in athletics are Gulveer Singh, Tejaswin Shankar, Murali Sreeshankar, Jyothi Yarraji and Parul Chaudhary. Shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor enters the competition as a two-time defending champion in his event.
With competition now underway, the Indian contingent will look to convert months of preparation into performances on the continental stage as athletes across disciplines begin their campaigns in Aichi-Nagoya.
