India Sends a 503-Member Contingent to the 2026 Asian Games After a Send-Off in New Delhi
India's contingent for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan received a grand send-off in New Delhi in September 2026 from Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, who unveiled the official contingent jersey alongside Indian Olympic Association President P.T. Usha, Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao and Chef de Mission Sahdev Yadav. The 503-member contingent comprises 269 men and 234 women athletes, with 246 support staff and 19 officials; over 300 athletes are first-timers. The send-off follows a strong recent run for Indian sport, including Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty's maiden China Masters badminton title.
The Asian Games are held every four years under the Olympic Council of Asia; the first edition was held in New Delhi in 1951 | India also hosted the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi | P.T. Usha, known as the Payyoli Express, became the first woman President of the Indian Olympic Association in 2022