BCCI President Encourages Indian Athletes Ahead of Asian Games 2026

Mithun Manhas, the BCCI President, has extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent participating in the Asian Games 2026, expressing confidence in their potential to win gold medals. He highlighted the athletes' hard work and enthusiasm, while BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla assured that concerns regarding facilities have been addressed. The event, taking place in Japan, will also feature a friendly match against Japan, marking a significant moment for cricket in the country. Read on to discover more about the preparations and expectations for the Indian teams.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 9, 2026, 00:20 IST

Support for Indian Contingent at Asian Games

The President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Mithun Manhas, has conveyed his heartfelt wishes to the Indian contingent participating in the upcoming Asian Games. He expressed his belief that all athletes, including the cricket teams, will strive for excellence and aim for gold medals.

Manhas emphasized the dedication, preparation, and enthusiasm of the teams, which he believes will lead to success. The 2026 Asian Games are set to take place from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where Indian athletes will compete in various sports against some of the strongest nations in Asia.

"I wish them all the best, not just the cricket teams, but the entire contingent heading to the Asian Games. I hope they perform at their best. The whole nation stands behind them, and we do too. I wish them success and hope they bring home gold medals to honor our country," Manhas stated.

He added, "The team is fully committed. Given their hard work and the enthusiasm within the squad, I am confident they can achieve gold and make our nation proud."

BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla also expressed optimism regarding the Indian cricket teams' performance at the Asian Games, noting that the event will allow Japanese fans to experience cricket firsthand.

Shukla mentioned that previous concerns regarding playing conditions, including wickets, dressing rooms, and sanitation facilities, have been resolved following an inspection by the Asian Cricket Council. He assured that the accommodations for players are satisfactory.

"I believe it will be a great experience, and our team will certainly secure a victory. It will also be a wonderful opportunity for the people of Japan to witness cricket, which is relatively new to them. The arrangements are expected to be excellent," Shukla remarked.

"Earlier, I had raised concerns about the ground conditions and facilities. Our team from the Asian Cricket Council visited the venue and confirmed that the ground and wickets are now in good shape, and the issues with the dressing rooms have been addressed. Concerns regarding sanitation have also been resolved. While the hotels may not be five-star, they are decent, and players should not encounter any issues," he added.

India is also scheduled to play a friendly match against Japan on September 22, commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.

Shukla highlighted that this friendly match would signify a significant milestone for cricket in Japan and expressed hope that it would pave the way for the sport's development in the country.

"The friendly match on the 22nd marks a new beginning, and I hope it will be a positive start for cricket in Japan," he concluded.