Asian Games: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) organised a grand send-off ceremony on Tuesday to the Indian athletes participating in the Asian Games 2023. During the ocassion, IOA Chief PT Usha and Union Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur unvelied the much-awaited ceremonial dress and playing kit for the Indian contingent. The upcoming edition of the continental event is set to get underway in Hangzhou, China from 23rd September.
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Asian Games kits designed by NIFT
According to a release, National Institute of Fashion Technology conceived and designed the kits and ceremonial dress. Speaking at the event, Anurag Thakur said, “The ceremonial dress and the kits are made from silk and recyclable materials. These dresses have been made by the IOA and the NIFT. It is not just a uniform. It is a symbol of pride and identity of our athletes.”
634 athletes will be sending athletes to the Asian Games. This is the largest-ever contingent from the country in the history of the continental event. “We are also sending our largest contingent of 623 players for the Asian Games. Recently in the World University Games for the first 60 years, we won a combined 18 medals, and now we won 26 medals out of which 10 were gold medals. We believe that for the first time ever India wins the most medals in Asian Games,” added Thakur.
India or Bharat?
Anurag Thakur also responded to queries on a likely resolution for changing India’s name to Bharat. “There are some people who will engage in a war of words and discussions. But they are opposing Bharat. It is an anti-nationalism mentality. You call it proudly, that we are Bhartiyas, We are Indians, We are Hindustanis. Why is there such a problem by using just a single word ‘Bharat’? This is all Congress’s doings.”
“They have carried these antics every day. We should call ourselves proudly that we are Indians, We are Bhartiyas or we are Hindustanis, why will there be any problem to it? They (Congress) for their political agendas can stoop to such standards to damage or hamper Bharat’s name,” he concluded.
IOA President Dr. PT Usha meanwhile said, “We have waited long for the Asian Games and are delighted that India is sending its largest contingent of 634 athletes. We believe that this squad has the potential to get India its best medal haul as well.”
The Indian contingent clinched 70 medals, including 16 gold, in the last edition of the Asian Games held in 2018.
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