Manipur CM Sends Best Wishes to Athletes at Asian Games 2026
Manipur CM Wishes State Contingent
Yumnam Khemchand Singh, the Chief Minister of Manipur, has conveyed his heartfelt wishes to the 36 athletes and three coaches from the state who are set to represent India at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in 2026. These athletes will compete in various sports including Sepaktakraw, Rowing, Cycling, Fencing, Canoeing & Kayaking, Boxing, Weightlifting, Wushu, and Hockey.
The contingent consists of 36 athletes: 12 in Sepaktakraw, 1 in Rowing, 3 in Cycling, 3 in Fencing, 6 in Canoeing & Kayaking, 1 in Boxing, 3 in Weightlifting, 3 in Wushu, 1 in Judo, and 3 in Hockey. The Asian Games are scheduled to commence on Saturday and will run until October 4, 2026, bringing together athletes from across Asia for one of the continent's largest multi-sport events.
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh congratulated the athletes and coaches for their selection and urged them to compete with confidence, discipline, and determination, encouraging them to give their utmost in their respective competitions.
Pawan Sehrawat, Manu Bhaker Lead Indian Contingent
In related news, Kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat and Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker led the Indian team during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Aichi-Nagoya. The ceremony marked the official start of the Games, with India represented by a contingent of 503 athletes competing in 36 sports.
Sehrawat, who was part of India's gold-medal-winning kabaddi team in the previous Asian Games, had the honor of carrying the national flag alongside Bhaker. Bhaker, a celebrated athlete with two Olympic medals, is a key figure in the Indian delegation.
Having won two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Bhaker will participate in the women's 10m air pistol, women's 25m pistol, and the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team events. She made history in Paris as the first athlete from independent India to secure two medals in a single Olympic edition.
In a heartfelt video message prior to the ceremony, Bhaker expressed her joy at being selected as a flag-bearer, reminiscing about her journey in the sport and the support she has received. "When I found out yesterday, I had all these flashback memories of my earlier days. I never thought I could reach this point in my sport. I feel really proud and honored to be chosen as the flag bearer for my country," she stated.
India Aims to Surpass Previous Medal Tally
India is determined to exceed its previous medal count from the 2022 Asian Games, where the nation achieved a historic total of 107 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze.