According to the Ministry of Sports, India has significantly invested in preparing its athletes for the upcoming Asian Games. Over the past three years, 702.86 crore rupees have been spent on training, equipment, international experience, and expert coach services.
Additionally, 97.84 crore rupees were allocated from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for Asian Games preparation. India's goal is to repeat or surpass the record of 106 medals won at the previous tournament.
Preparation for the Asian Games in India
The head of TOPS, NS Johal, noted that there is good momentum in the performances of Indian athletes, and the large number of young players is a positive sign for the future.
A characteristic of the Indian delegation at the Asian Games in Itinago is the large number of debutants. A total of 310 athletes will participate in the Asian Games for the first time. Among them are young talents such as cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi, tennis player Cinderella Das, badminton player Ayush Shetty, 18-year-old scout athlete Anahata Singh, and judoka Asmita De. Anahata recently won a junior world title, and Asmita De became the first Indian to win gold at the Commonwealth Games in judo.
Despite Vaibhav Suryavanshi not receiving funding from the Ministry of Sports, he remains one of the most discussed young athletes in the Indian team.
Expenditure Distribution Over Three Years
The Ministry of Sports reported that the total amount of 702.86 crore rupees was spent under the Annual Calendar of Competitions and Training to prepare the athletes. The largest share of these funds was directed towards providing athletes with experience in international events.
Plan Developed Over 9 Meetings
Johal stated that nine coordination meetings regarding the Asian Games were held since January of this year. These meetings were conducted to ensure the most favorable conditions for the athletes, especially during the emergence of administrative issues related to various national sports federations.
He declined to comment on the disputes concerning the federations but emphasized that despite these difficulties, the focus on the athletes has not weakened.
65 Athletes from Khelo India
The current Indian delegation includes 65 athletes who have gone through the Khelo India system. Johal linked this to the success of the country's grassroots sports system, noting that the participation of athletes from Khelo India on a large stage like the Asian Games is a positive sign.
India will participate in 36 sports. The total delegation comprises 501 athletes, including 267 men and 234 women. 265 support staff will travel to Japan with them. Initially, participation of 503 athletes was approved, but two athletes were excluded due to doping violations, leading to the final number of 501.
Previously, India achieved its best result at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, winning a total of 106 medals: 28 gold, 38 silver, and 40 bronze. The goal in Itinago now is to repeat or improve this figure. Johal concluded that the final result depends on the athletes themselves, and the Ministry has done everything possible to ensure the best preparation.