New Delhi, September 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his wishes to the Indian contingent participating in the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, saying the athletes had worked hard and shown dedication and determination.
In a post on X, Modi said, “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!”
Kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat and shooter Manu Bhaker carried the Indian flag during the opening ceremony at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium, which marked the formal opening of the 20th Asian Games.
India is represented by a 503-member athlete contingent competing across 36 sports. Sehrawat was part of India’s gold-medal-winning men’s kabaddi team at the previous Asian Games, while Bhaker is competing in shooting.
Bhaker, who won two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, will compete in the women’s 10m air pistol, women’s 25m pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team events. She became the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympic Games.
Ahead of the opening ceremony, Bhaker said being selected as a flag-bearer brought back memories of her early days in the sport. She said she felt honoured to represent the country in the role and thanked her supporters.
India will seek to build on its performance at the 2022 Asian Games, where the country won 107 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze.