‘Play well and shine’: PM Modi wishes Team India as Asian Games 2026 begins, medal hunt begins on Sunday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi; and the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games. (PTI Photos) NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent at the official opening of the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya and urged the athletes to give their best and shine as India begins its medal campaign in earnest from Sunday.“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,” PM Modi said in a post on X.“Let them do their best, play well and shine!” he added.The news came as the continental sporting extravaganza formally got underway at Nagoya’s Paloma Mizuho Stadium, with Japan’s Emperor Naruhito declaring the games open. The Asian Games will continue until October 4, with around 11,000 athletes from 45 countries competing in 43 sports.

Bhaker, Sehrawat lead India in opening ceremony

For India, Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat led the contingent into the stadium with the tricolor at the opening ceremony.Bhaker, a two-time Olympic medalist from Paris 2024, will compete in the women’s mixed team events of 10m, 25m and 10m air pistol. Sehrawat was part of the Indian kabaddi team that won the gold medal in the previous Asian Games.Reflecting on her selection as flag bearer, Bhaker spoke about the emotions the honor evoked and how it reminded her of her journey in the sport.“Honestly, when I found out yesterday, it brought back all these memories of my earlier days. And you know, when I started, I never thought that this is where I could make it one day in my sport. So it’s definitely a very warm feeling. I feel really proud, really honored and really, really happy to be chosen to be the flag bearer for my country,” she told everyone for the love and thank God and thank you all.

India starts the medal rush from Sunday

With the opening ceremony now complete, the focus turns to the competition as Indian athletes begin their quest for medals from Sunday.India will be looking to build on their record medal tally from the previous edition in Hangzhou, where they won 106 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver and 40 bronze.Several established names will headline India’s campaign, including PV Sindhu in badminton, Mirabai Chan in weightlifting, Lovlin Borgohain in boxing and Aman Sehrawat in wrestling. In athletics, the leading contenders include Gulveer Singh, Tejaswin Shankar, Murali Sreeshankar, Jyothi Yarraji and Parul Chaudhary, while Tajinderpal Singh Toor will be aiming for a third Asian Games gold in men’s shot put.India are also the defending champions in men’s and women’s cricket and kabaddi, while men’s hockey will look to retain their title.