Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent participating in the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, praising the athletes for their dedication and determination.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the entire nation was proud of the athletes and wished them success at the Games.
“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!” PM Modi said.
Kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat and Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker led the Indian contingent as flag-bearers during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium on Saturday.
The ceremony marked the formal opening of the 20th Asian Games, with India 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. Bhaker, a double Olympic medallist, is among India’s leading athletes at the continental multi-sport event.
Bhaker won two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the women’s 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team events. She also 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 one of India’s flag-bearers was a “heartwarming” moment that brought back memories of her early days in shooting.
She said the honour made her reflect on her journey in the sport and expressed gratitude to those who had supported her.
At the Aichi-Nagoya Games, Bhaker will compete in the women’s 10m air pistol, women’s 25m pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team events.
India will look to build on its performance at the 2022 Asian Games, where the country recorded its best-ever medal haul of 107 medals, comprising 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze.
-ANI
