The 20th Asian Games officially opened in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday, September 19, with India’s contingent joining athletes from across the continent at the opening ceremony.
The Indian contingent was led by Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat, who carried the Indian flag during the ceremony at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. Sehrawat was named the male flag-bearer after shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor was unable to attend the ceremony because he did not receive his official ceremonial kit.
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Toor had originally been selected to lead the Indian contingent alongside Bhaker. The decorated shot-putter is targeting a third consecutive Asian Games gold medal in his event, but Sehrawat stepped in at the last moment for the opening ceremony.
Bhaker, who won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, served as India’s female flag-bearer. She also urged Indian athletes to remain focused on their performances rather than allowing the organisational issues surrounding the Games to dominate their attention.
The Aichi-Nagoya Games have faced a difficult build-up, with accommodation emerging as one of the major concerns. More than 17,000 participants are expected to take part in the continental sporting event, while some teams have raised concerns about the quality and availability of accommodation.
Japan opted against building a traditional athletes’ village as part of its effort to reduce costs. Around 4,000 participants are staying aboard the cruise ship Costa Serena at Nagoya’s port, while another 2,000 are housed in wooden huts. Other athletes and officials are staying in hotels across Nagoya and Aichi prefecture.
India, which has sent almost 500 athletes to the Games, has also prepared contingency arrangements in case hotel accommodation becomes insufficient. According to India’s chef de mission Sahdev Yadav, Indian households in Japan have offered to accommodate athletes if required.
Despite the concerns surrounding the preparations, the opening ceremony marked the formal beginning of the 20th Asian Games. The ceremony was attended by Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, along with Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani.
India enters the Games after producing its best-ever Asian Games performance in Hangzhou in 2023. The country won 106 medals, including 28 gold, finishing fourth in the overall standings.
India will defend its titles in men’s and women’s cricket and kabaddi, while the men’s hockey team will also look to retain its crown. The Games will feature more than 40 sports, with the first gold medal expected to be decided on Sunday, September 20.
The competition will continue until October 4, with Indian athletes aiming to build on the country’s record performance from Hangzhou.
The opening ceremony therefore signals the transition from a troubled build-up to the sporting competition itself, with India’s athletes now set to turn their attention towards events and medal opportunities across disciplines.
