India Announces 508-Strong Contingent for 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya

India has officially named a 508-strong athlete contingent to compete across 35 sporting disciplines at the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026. The squad comprises 272 male and 236 female athletes, aiming to build on the nation's historic performance at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, where India finished fourth with 106 medals. Indian Weightlifting Federation president Sahdev Yadav has been appointed as the Chef de Mission for the Indian contingent, while veteran table tennis champion Sharath Kamal will serve as his deputy. Athletics forms the largest portion of the team with over 70 athletes, followed by field hockey with 40 participants, and cricket and shooting with 30 athletes each. Several competitions, including basketball, cricket, and hockey, will begin their group matches prior to the official opening ceremony on September 19. The contingent's selection reflects stringent qualification standards established by the Sports Ministry and national sports federations. With defending champions across multiple disciplines returning to action, India is targeting an improved medal tally to bolster its standing among Asia's top sporting nations.