‘Stay confident, carry spirit of billion-plus Indians’: Mandaviya meets Asian Games athletes

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday met members of the Indian contingent at the Asian Games in Nagoya, urging athletes to remain confident, give their best and carry with them the support of more than a billion Indians as they compete on the continental stage.

Mandaviya interacted with the athletes and support staff in Japan and joined them for lunch, spending time discussing their preparations and concerns. He asked the athletes to enjoy the experience while remaining focused on their respective events.

‘Nation proud of you’

During the interaction, Mandaviya told the athletes that representing India at the Asian Games was both an opportunity and a responsibility, and said the country was proud of the work they had put in to reach the continental competition.

He encouraged them to remain confident and carry the “spirit of a billion-plus Indians” when they entered the field of play. Every athlete competing at the Games carried the hopes and aspirations of the country, he said, wishing the contingent success across disciplines.

Mandaviya’s interaction came after he joined members of the Indian community in Nagoya for the “Sundays on Cycle” initiative, organised to rally support for the Indian contingent. He said the enthusiasm of the diaspora could help boost the morale of athletes competing at the Games.

India opens medal account

India, meanwhile, opened its medal account on Sunday with two silver medals in women’s 10m air rifle.

Elavenil Valarivan won silver in the individual event, while the trio of Valarivan, Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod claimed another silver in the women’s 10m air rifle team competition.

India was also assured of another medal after Suchika Tariyal defeated Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa in the women’s traditional 60kg kurash quarterfinal to advance to the medal rounds.

The results provided India with an encouraging start as competitions gathered pace following Saturday’s opening ceremony.

Over 500 athletes in Japan

India has sent a contingent of more than 500 athletes to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with a large number making their debut at the continental event.

At the official send-off in New Delhi earlier this month, Mandaviya had urged athletes to “convert pressure into performance”, view opponents as opportunities and turn those opportunities into achievements. India entered the Games looking to build on its record performance at Hangzhou, where the country won 107 medals — 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze — its highest-ever tally at an Asian Games.

The 20th Asian Games are being held in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.