India is proud of you: PM Modi wishes Indian contingent at Asian Games

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday wished all the best to the Indian contingent competing in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and praised the athletes for their hard work, dedication and determination.

“As the Asian Games begin in Aichi-Nagoya, I wish the Indian contingent all the best. Every athlete has worked incredibly hard and shown remarkable dedication and determination. India is proud of them,” Modi said in a post on X.

“Let them do their best, play well and shine!” he added.

The 20th Asian Games officially opened in Nagoya on Saturday Japan’s Emperor Naruhito declared the games open during a colorful and high-tech ceremony at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.

The opening ceremony was attended by Empress Masako, members of the Japanese Imperial Family, Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry.

The two-hour ceremony began with the Japanese national anthem and the raising of the national flag before the parade of athletes began.

Contingents from 45 countries and the OCA Refugee Team took part in the parade, with Afghanistan being the first team to enter the stadium. China, the continent’s sporting powerhouse, attracted attention with a contingent of more than 800 athletes.

Two-time Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker and Hangzhou Asian Games gold medalist Pawan Sehrawat led the Indian contingent that carried the tricolor during the parade.

Sehrawat replaced bowler Tajinderpal Singh Toor as India’s flag bearer after Toor did not receive his ceremonial kit in time.

India sent a 501-member contingent to the Games and will look to build on its historic performance in Hangzhou in 2023. India won 106 medals, including 28 gold, and finished fourth overall.

The Asian Games will see around 11,000 athletes from 45 countries competing in 43 sports, with 469 gold medals on offer. The games will last until October 4.

Several events started even before the opening ceremony. In women’s cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur-led India reached the semi-finals after beating hosts Japan by eight wickets on Friday.

India is also in contention for a medal in teqball, which is making its Asian Games debut. Quimcy D’Souza lost the women’s singles semi-final on Saturday and will now challenge for the bronze medal.

The opening ceremony marked the formal start of the 20th Asian Games, with competition continuing in Aichi-Nagoya over the next two weeks.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

19 Sep 2026 19:54 IST