Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha met International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry at the official welcome reception ahead of the 2026 Asian Games opening ceremony in Aichi-Nagoya.
Sharing pictures from the event on social media platform X, PT Usha described the reception as an occasion of unity, collaboration and shared vision. She said discussions focused on strengthening global sporting ties.
Usha also highlighted the presence of Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya at the reception and said the stakeholders were committed to supporting athletes and promoting international sportsmanship.
Kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat and Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker led the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games on Saturday.
The ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium marked the formal opening of the 20th Asian Games. India is represented by a 503-member athlete contingent across 36 sports.
India opened its medal account at the Games with a silver medal in the women’s 10m air rifle team event. Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod combined to finish second.
In other events, Suchika Tariyal assured India of a medal in the women’s traditional 60kg MMA event after defeating Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa in the quarterfinal.
India’s women’s hockey team also began its campaign with a 19-0 victory over Uzbekistan, while the women’s table tennis team defeated Indonesia 3-0 in their Group F encounter.
