India’s head surfing coach Samai Reboul said the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya would be an important step in the country’s long-term development as it looks towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Surfing will make its Asian Games debut in Japan, with India fielding two men and two women in the shortboard competition. The event will also offer Olympic quota places for the LA Games.
“The Olympics is definitely part of the long-term vision, but to get there an important objective is to create sustainable pathways for Indian surfers to develop from a young age and eventually compete at the highest international level,” Reboul said in a Sports Authority of India (SAI) statement.
“The 2026 Asian Games are an important step. After that, we need to build towards the 2028 Olympics and beyond.”
Reboul, who helped India win their first medal at the Asian Surfing Championships, said sustained international exposure would be key to the sport’s growth in the country.
India are likely to face a stiff challenge at the Games, with established surfing nations such as Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines expected to be among the leading contenders.
(Reuters)
