Gujarat's Historic Achievement: Nine Athletes Selected for Asian Games 2023

Gujarat has achieved a historic milestone with nine athletes selected for the 20th Asian Games in Japan, marking a significant rise from previous years. This accomplishment reflects the state's commitment to sports development, driven by initiatives from past and current leadership. With a diverse group of athletes ready to compete, Gujarat is poised to make a strong impact on the international stage. Discover more about the athletes and the state's sporting ambitions in this exciting overview.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 27, 2026, 12:05 IST

Gujarat's Remarkable Representation at the Asian Games

Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], July 27: Gujarat has made a significant mark in Indian sports by having nine athletes and one reserve player chosen to represent the nation at the upcoming 20th Asian Games, set to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.

This accomplishment highlights a tremendous growth for the state, which had only three athletes participating in the 2014 Asian Games. Fast forward twelve years, and Gujarat has tripled its representation, showcasing its rise as one of India's most dynamic sporting regions, as noted in an official statement.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi expressed pride in this achievement, attributing it to the long-term investments made in sports development.

“The groundwork laid by former Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi through initiatives like Khel Mahakumbh and the Shaktidoot Yojana is now bearing fruit. Gujarat is on its way to becoming a global sports powerhouse,” Sanghavi remarked.

The state's sporting success is largely due to ongoing investments in grassroots development and athlete support over the last decade. Initiatives from Modi's time as Chief Minister, such as the Shaktidoot Yojana and Khel Mahakumbh, have been pivotal in identifying and nurturing sporting talent throughout Gujarat.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the current government has further bolstered this ecosystem by enhancing infrastructure, athlete support programs, and high-performance training.

Highlighting Gujarat's sporting aspirations, Harsh Sanghavi stated that the state aims to cultivate a world-class sporting culture.

“Our objective extends beyond training athletes; we aim to create a comprehensive ecosystem that empowers them to excel on the international stage and bring honor to the nation,” he added.

Additionally, he mentioned that Gujarat is making significant preparations to develop top-tier sports infrastructure in anticipation of hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

Over the last decade, Gujarat has consistently 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 ready to compete in Japan, all eyes will be on Gujarat's representatives as they strive to shine on one of Asia's premier sporting platforms. The nine selected athletes span various disciplines, emphasizing Gujarat's expanding role in Indian sports beyond its traditional cricket focus. The contingent features a mix of seasoned international competitors and promising young talent.

The athletes selected include:

Elavenil Valarivan – Shooting

Harmeet Desai – Table Tennis

Manav Thakkar – Table Tennis

Manush Shah – Table Tennis

Aniket Patel – Soft Tennis

Aryan Nehra – Swimming

Ankita Raina – Tennis

Vaidehi Chaudhari – Tennis

Devyani Zala – Athletics (Sprint)

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