Gujarat's Historic Representation at the Asian Games 2023

Gujarat has made history by sending a record nine athletes and one reserve player to the 20th Asian Games in Japan. This achievement reflects the state's significant growth in sports, attributed to long-term investments and initiatives aimed at nurturing talent. With a diverse group of athletes representing various disciplines, Gujarat is poised to make a mark on the international stage. The state's commitment to building a world-class sporting culture is evident as it prepares for future events, including the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Read on to discover more about the selected athletes and Gujarat's journey in sports.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 27, 2026, 12:28 IST

Gujarat's Remarkable Achievement in Sports

Gujarat has made a significant mark in Indian sports by securing a record nine athletes and one reserve player to represent the nation at the upcoming 20th Asian Games, taking place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. This accomplishment highlights a substantial growth for the state, which had only three athletes participating in the 2014 Asian Games. In just twelve years, Gujarat has tripled its representation, showcasing its rise as one of India's rapidly developing sports hubs.

Investment in Sports Fuels Growth

Gujarat's Deputy Chief Minister, Harsh Sanghavi, expressed pride in this achievement, attributing it to long-term investments in sports development. He noted, "The groundwork laid by former Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi through initiatives like Khel Mahakumbh and the Shaktidoot Yojana is now yielding results. Gujarat is on its way to becoming a global sports powerhouse."

The state's success is largely due to ongoing investments in grassroots development and athlete support over the last decade. Initiatives from Modi's tenure as Chief Minister, such as the Shaktidoot Yojana and Khel Mahakumbh, have been instrumental in identifying and nurturing sporting talent. The current administration, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, continues to enhance this ecosystem with improved infrastructure and athlete support programs.

Aiming for a World-Class Sporting Culture

Sanghavi emphasized Gujarat's ambition to cultivate a world-class sporting culture, stating, "Our aim is not only to train athletes but to create a comprehensive ecosystem that allows them to excel internationally and bring honor to our nation." He also mentioned that the state is actively working to develop top-tier sports infrastructure in preparation for hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

Increasing National Representation

In the last decade, Gujarat has steadily improved its representation at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games, marking its evolution into a multi-sport powerhouse. With a record number of athletes set to compete in Japan, the spotlight is on Gujarat's representatives as they aim to shine on one of Asia's premier sporting platforms.

Diverse Contingent for the Asian Games

The nine athletes selected for the Asian Games come from various disciplines, showcasing Gujarat's expanding role in Indian sports beyond its traditional cricket focus. This contingent features a mix of seasoned international competitors and promising young athletes.

List of Selected Athletes

The athletes chosen to represent Gujarat are:

1. Elavenil Valarivan - Shooting

2. Harmeet Desai - Table Tennis

3. Manav Thakkar - Table Tennis

4. Manush Shah - Table Tennis

5. Aniket Patel - Soft Tennis

6. Aryan Nehra - Swimming

7. Ankita Raina - Tennis

8. Vaidehi Chaudhari - Tennis

9. Devyani Zala - Athletics (Sprint)

Additionally, Jil Desai has been appointed as a reserve player in tennis.