New Delhi: Anurag Thakur, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, expressed confidence that India’s preparations for the Asian Games, to be held in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8, were on track. He said that India would not only field its largest contingent ever, but also return the biggest medal haul in Asian Games history, improving on the collection of 70 in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang. The hope of increased medals stems from expectations in disciplines like Chess, and the martial arts of Kurash and Jujutsu.
He said selection trials have been completed in more than half the 40 disciplines in which India is expected to field athletes in the Asian Games. “The other National Sports Federations have been told to wrap their selections up by June 30, well ahead of July 15 deadline to send final entries to the Olympic Council of Asia,” he said, indicating that there is great co-ordination between the Ministry and National Sports Federations of all disciplines.
“Government has sanctioned Rs. 220 crore this year towards the preparation of the Indian teams for the Asian Games,” he said. “More than 142 foreign exposures and 71 coaching camps benefiting more than 2100 athletes have been held. Government has spent Rs. 450 crore in the current Olympic cycle in support of athletes towards their training and competition exposure, National Camps, quality coaches and support staff, Equipment etc.”
Talking to media on the sidelines of the 100th meeting of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ Mission Olympic Cell, Thakur said more than 350 proposals worth Rs. 45 crore have been approved for the athletes under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) in the current Olympic cycle, to ensure best possible training for India’s athletes.
Some of the disciplines in which India will field athletes in the Asian Games are: Aquatics (Diving, Swimming and Water.Polo), Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Bridge, Boxing, Chess, Canoeing and Kayaking, Cricket, Cycling, Equestrian, e-Sports, Fencing, Hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, Judo, Jiujitsu, Kabaddi, Karate, Kurash, Roller Sports, Rowing, Sailing, Sepak Takraw, Shooting, Softball, Soft Tennis, Sport Climbing, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Wushu.