PM Modi extends best wishes to Indian contingent at Asian Games

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent competing at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, praising the athletes for their hard work, dedication and determination."As the Asian Games commence in Aichi-Nagoya, my best wishes to the Indian contingent. Each athlete has worked incredibly hard and shown remarkable dedication and determination. India is proud of them," Modi said in a post on X."May they give their best, play well and shine!" he added.The 20th Asian Games officially opened in Nagoya on Saturday, with Japan's Emperor Naruhito declaring the Games open during a colourful and high-tech ceremony at the 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 athletes' parade got underway. Contingents from 45 nations and the OCA Refugee Team took part in the parade, with Afghanistan the first team to enter the stadium. China, the continent's sporting powerhouse, attracted attention with a contingent of more than 800 athletes.Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and Hangzhou Asian Games gold medallist Pawan Sehrawat led the Indian contingent, carrying the Tricolour during the parade.Sehrawat replaced shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor as India's flag-bearer after Toor did not receive his ceremonial kit in time.India have sent a 501-member contingent to the Games and will look to build on their historic performance at Hangzhou in 2023. India won 106 medals, including 28 gold, to finish fourth in the overall standings.The Asian Games will feature around 11,000 athletes from 45 nations competing across 43 sports, with 469 gold medals on offer. The Games will run until October 4.Several events had already begun before the opening ceremony. In women's cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur-led India reached the semifinals after defeating hosts Japan by eight wickets on Friday.India are also in contention for a medal in teqball, which is making its Asian Games debut. Quimcy D'Souza lost her women's singles semifinal on Saturday and will now compete for the bronze medal.The opening ceremony marked the formal start of the 20th Asian Games, with competitions set to continue across Aichi-Nagoya over the next two weeks.- EndsPublished By: Saurabh KumarPublished On: Sep 19, 2026 19:54 IST