503-Member Indian Contingent Receives Grand Send-Off Ahead of 2026 Asian Games

A 503-member Indian sporting contingent was officially presented and given a grand send-off in New Delhi on September 8, 2026, ahead of the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The ceremonial event was led by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya alongside Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Dr. P.T. Usha, Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, and Chef de Mission Sahdev Yadav. During the ceremony, dignitaries unveiled the official team kit and jersey that the athletes will wear at the continental showpiece. Addressing the assembled athletes and support staff, Dr. Mandaviya urged the sportspersons to transform pressure into performance, view competition as an opportunity, and strive to elevate the nation's pride on the global stage. The government reaffirmed its full commitment to providing world-class training, sports science, logistical support, and medical care so that the squad can perform at its peak without distractions. The grand send-off underlines India's heightened ambitions following record-breaking performances in previous continental tournaments, with athletes competing across dozens of sporting disciplines in Japan.