India Expands Contingent to 768 for Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Following Surfing Debut
NEW DELHI: India has officially ramped up its preparations for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, expanding its national contingent to a staggering 768 members. The move comes as the nation adds surfing to its competitive roster, marking its participation in a total of 36 sporting disciplines.
The Games, scheduled to take place in Japan from September 19 to October 4, will now feature an increased athlete headcount. According to the latest sanction order issued by the Union Sports Ministry, the number of sportspersons representing India has risen from an initial 492 to 503. The revised lineup includes 269 men and 234 women, reflecting a strategic push toward gender parity and broader competitive representation.
Surfing Makes Historic Entry
The most significant change to the roster is the inclusion of surfing as the 36th sport for the Indian contingent. Four athletes have been cleared to represent the nation in the shortboard category: Kishore Kumar Anbarashu and Sivaraj Babu for the men’s event, and Kamali Prakash and Sugar Shanti Gayen for the women’s.
Strengthening Track and Field
Athletics—historically a cornerstone of India’s medal hopes—has seen the largest increase, with its squad size growing from 73 to 79. While the squad will be missing javelin icon Neeraj Chopra due to injury, the ministry has cleared the addition of six athletes: Praveen Kumar (men’s hammer throw), Harita Bhadra (women’s 200m), Kiran Pahal (women’s 400m), Asha Ilango (women’s triple jump), Sindhushree Ganesha (women’s pole vault), and Sanya Yadav (women’s discus throw).
This group will be supported by a robust 31-member staff, including 20 coaches led by national coach P. Radhakrishnan.
Comprehensive Support Structure
The expanded 768-member contingent is heavily bolstered by a professional support infrastructure comprising 265 officials. This technical and medical team includes:
- 150 Coaches: Ranging from chief to deputy coaches.
- Medical & Recovery Team: 24 doctors, 31 physiotherapists, 10 masseurs, and four sports psychologists/recovery experts.
- Administrative Support: 10 team managers and technical analysts, alongside 36 additional support staff.
In a proactive move, the Sports Ministry has directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to ensure that female athletes have dedicated access to female medical and support staff. Where discipline-specific teams may lack such personnel, the IOA is required to draw from an approved central pool to assist female competitors throughout the Games.
As the Asian Games 2026 approach, India’s record-sized contingent reflects the country’s growing ambitions to establish a dominant presence across a wider spectrum of international sports. With the inclusion of niche disciplines like surfing and the expansion of traditional ones, the stage is set for a high-stakes performance in Aichi-Nagoya.
