Gujarat's Historic Representation at the Asian Games 2026

Gujarat is set to make history with its largest-ever representation at the Asian Games 2026, sending nine athletes and one reserve to compete in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This marks a significant increase from previous years, reflecting the state's growing prominence in various sports. Officials attribute this success to long-term investments in sports development, with a focus on creating a comprehensive ecosystem for athletes. The upcoming Games promise to showcase Gujarat's diverse sporting talent, moving beyond its traditional cricket association. As the state prepares for this major event, it also looks ahead to hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games, further solidifying its commitment to sports excellence.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 27, 2026, 14:27 IST

Gujarat's Largest Contingent for Asian Games

Photo: @ians_india/X

Gandhinagar, July 27: Gujarat is set to achieve a milestone with its largest-ever representation at the upcoming Asian Games, as nine athletes along with one reserve have been chosen to compete for India at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, scheduled from September 19 to October 4, 2026.

This selection marks a remarkable growth compared to the 2014 Asian Games, where only three athletes from the state participated.

Officials from the state highlighted that this latest group showcases the expanding footprint of Gujarat in various sports on the global stage.

The selected athletes include shooter Elavenil Valarivan; table tennis players Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar, and Manush Shah; soft tennis player Aniket Patel; swimmer Aryan Nehra; tennis players Ankita Raina and Vaidehi Chaudhari; and sprinter Devyani Zala. Jil Desai has been appointed as a reserve player.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi attributed this increase in representation to sustained investments in sports development.

"The initiatives launched by the former Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, such as Khel Mahakumbh and the Shaktidoot Yojana, have laid the groundwork for athletes from Gujarat to excel internationally. The outcomes of these efforts are now evident, with Gujarat emerging as a significant player in the sports arena," Sanghavi stated.

He further mentioned that the state government, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is dedicated to establishing a robust sporting ecosystem.

"Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's guidance, Gujarat is committed to fostering a world-class sporting culture. Our focus extends beyond training athletes; we are building a comprehensive environment that empowers them to achieve international success for the nation," he added.

Sanghavi also noted that Gujarat is gearing up to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with efforts to enhance sports infrastructure underway at an accelerated pace.

The state government reported that Gujarat's involvement in significant international competitions, including the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games, has consistently risen over the last ten years.

Officials emphasized that the selection of athletes across diverse disciplines such as shooting, table tennis, tennis, swimming, athletics, and soft tennis illustrates the state's increasing contribution to Indian sports, moving beyond its historical ties to cricket.

The 20th Asian Games will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, uniting athletes from all over Asia in one of the continent's premier multi-sport events.