Gujarat To Send Record Nine Athletes To Asian Games 2026, One Named As Reserve
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Gujarat is set to have its biggest-ever representation at the Asian Games, with nine athletes selected to represent India at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026. One more athlete has been named as a reserve, marking a threefold rise from the three athletes who represented the state at the 2014 Asian Games.
Nine Athletes Selected For India
The Gujarat contingent features athletes from a range of sporting disciplines, reflecting the state's growing presence beyond cricket.
The nine selected athletes are:
- Eilavenil Valarivan – Shooting
- Harmeet Desai – Table Tennis
- Manav Thakkar – Table Tennis
- Manush Shah – Table Tennis
- Aniket Patel – Soft Tennis
- Aryan Nehra – Swimming
- Ankita Raina – Tennis
- Vaidehi Chaudhari – Tennis
- Devayani Jhala – Sprinting
Tennis player Jil Desai has been selected as a reserve.
From Three Athletes In 2014 To Nine In 2026
The selection represents a significant increase in Gujarat's presence at the Asian Games. While only three athletes from the state competed at the 2014 edition, the number has now risen to nine, with an additional reserve athlete.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi attributed the growth to sustained efforts to develop sporting talent in the state, including initiatives such as the Khel Mahakumbh and the Shaktidoot Scheme.
Government Highlights Long-Term Sports Strategy
Sanghavi said the increase in Gujarat's representation was the result of long-term efforts to identify and develop sporting talent at the grassroots level.
He said the state was working towards building a wider sports ecosystem and improving facilities and training opportunities for athletes preparing for international competitions.
Sanghavi also said preparations were underway to develop world-class sports infrastructure in Gujarat ahead of the state's planned hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Gujarat's Growing Multi-Sport Presence
Over the past decade, Gujarat has steadily increased its representation at major international sporting events, including the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
The selection of nine athletes for the 2026 Asian Games marks another milestone for the state and highlights the growing diversity of sports in which Gujarat's athletes are competing at the national and international levels.
