New Delhi: The sports ministry on Wednesday cleared the names of 246 coaches and support staff members to accompany Indian athletes at the upcoming Asian Games that begin in Japan’s Aichi-Nagoya on September 19. The number of athletes has also been increased from 492 (265 men and 227 women) to 503 (269 male & 234 female) following the addition of the four-member surfing team, six track and field athletes and one Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athlete. The total strength of the Indian contingent now stands at 768.
Athletics and Support Staff Updates for Upcoming Competitions
The athletics team has welcomed six new athletes: Praveen Kumar (hammer throw), Harita Bhadra (200m), Kiran Pahal (400m), Asha Ilango (triple jump), Sindhushree Ganesha (pole vault), and Sanya Yadav (discus throw). This brings the total number of athletes in the athletics squad to 79, supported by 31 officials, including coaches, physios, a masseuse, a doctor, a team manager, and a tech analyst.
In the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) category, Varun Sanyal will compete in the Traditional 77kg event without a coach or physio. The surfing team includes Kishore Kumar Anbarashu, Sivaraj Babu, Kamali Prakash, and Sugar Shanti Gayen, participating in men’s and women’s shortboard events.
The cricket contingent consists of 30 members (15 men and 15 women) accompanied by a 20-member support staff. Additionally, the hockey team, comprising 40 members (20 men and 20 women), will have a 14-member support staff. Three judokas will have access to two support staff members, while the MMA athletes will travel without dedicated coaching staff.
Notable figures in the cricket support staff include VVS Laxman, Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Amol Muzumdar, Aavishkar Salvi, and Munish Bali. Masseuse Sakshi Aggarwal, who will assist the judo team, will also provide support to the wushu athletes, as confirmed by the ministry.
