Chandigarh, September 19 (Daily Kiran) : Haryana’s Sports Minister, Gaurav Gautam, expressed optimism that athletes from the state will raise the Indian flag at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. He highlighted that 16 percent of the Indian contingent comprises athletes from Haryana, who are expected to bring home medals.
The Asian Games kicked off on Saturday in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, featuring 501 Indian athletes—267 men and 234 women—competing in 36 sports. Gautam has high hopes for the state’s representatives.
During a press briefing, Gautam remarked, “Haryana’s athletes have previously enhanced India’s pride at the Olympics. This time, 80 athletes from Haryana are participating in the Asian Games. In some events, the entire team comprises Haryana players. I am confident that they will return with medals and wave the tricolor in Japan.”
He emphasized the importance of the state’s sports policy under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, which has inspired and energized athletes. “When they return with medals, we will celebrate them grandly. The entire country is watching Haryana’s athletes,” he added.
Gautam pointed out that wrestling is a sport deeply rooted in Haryana, with all 16 wrestlers representing the state. He noted that while Haryana makes up only 2 percent of India’s population, it consistently claims a significant portion of the medals in various sports.
In a related matter, the Pakistan Hockey Federation has requested a neutral venue for their matches in the Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in Punjab. Gautam responded that sports should remain free from political influences and that athletes should compete with integrity, rising above such issues.
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