The 18th Asian Games kicks off in Jakarta. All eyes are on India as the nation with over 110 crore population has not justified its talent in the sporting extravaganza that is held once in four years involving all Asian countries. A total of 572 athletes (312 men and 260 women) are representing India in 36 sports. They are accompanied by 232 coaches, support staff and officials. It is a large contingent and hopes are high among sport-lovers across the country that they will return with bags full of medals.
India was one of the first five founding members of the Asian Games Federation in February 1949 in New Delhi. The organisation was disbanded on 26 November 1981 and replaced by the Olympic Council of Asia. The country is one of the only seven countries that have competed in all the editions of the Asian Games. They have won at least one gold medal at every Asian Games and always ranked within the top 10 nations on the medal table except in the 1990 Asian Games.
Hopes are high on shooters from the country this time. Shooters topped the medal tally in this year’s Mexico World Cup. They finished ahead of United States and China. Wrestling promises aplenty. Bajrang Punia and Gold Coast champion Vinesh Phogat (50 kg) will be strong contenders for gold medals. Hockey and kabaddi are our favourites. Saina, P V Sindhu and Srikanth Kidambi are expected to come back with the yellow metal. And all eyes on gymnast Dipa Karmakar.
We have been winning medals in the Asian Games for many decades now. It’s time India began to aim higher.