Mandaviya Joins Indian Diaspora Cycling Event in Nagoya
Mandaviya Joins Indian Diaspora Cycling Event in Nagoya
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Key Points
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India’s contingent comprises 501 athletes competing in 36 sports, with the Games scheduled from September 19 to October 4.
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The Asian Games bring together athletes from 45 countries and regions competing across 43 sports and 469 medal events.
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Manu Bhaker, a double Olympic medallist who won two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, shared the flag-bearing honour with Pawan Sehrawat, a member of India’s gold-medal-winning men’s kabaddi team at the previous Asian Games.
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Sehrawat replaced shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor as the male flagbearer because of technical issues.
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Ambassador Nagma Mohammad Malik said she hoped India’s women’s cricket team would reach the final and that she wanted to attend the match, after describing the cycling event as a “wonderful experience” that brought expatriate Indians together.
India's Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya cycled through Nagoya, Japan, on Sunday to rally the Indian diaspora behind the country's Asianet News 501-strong contingent competing at the 2026 Asian Games. The "Sundays on Cycle" event brought expatriate Indians together to cheer athletes across 36 sports, with Mandaviya calling the diaspora "a source of strength for India" and expressing confidence in a strong performance.
Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat led India's contingent as flagbearers at the opening ceremony in Nagoya's Paloma Mizuho Stadium. Ambassador to Japan Nagma Mohammad Malik also joined the cycling event, voicing hope that India's women's cricket team would reach the final.
Mandaviya Rallies Indian Community for Asian Games Push
Mandaviya praised volunteers and community members at the Nagoya cycling event, emphasizing their role in supporting India's athletes. Tribune India reported the minister led the 91st edition of the "Sundays on Cycle" movement, part of the broader Fit India initiative. His presence underscored the government's commitment to connecting diaspora communities with national sporting ambitions.
The event exemplified how overseas Indians contribute to national pride during major competitions. Daily Hunt noted the cycling gathering strengthened connections between expatriates and India's athletic programs, creating a network of support ahead of the Games' September 19 to October 4 schedule.
India's 501-Athlete Contingent Competes Across 36 Sports
India fielded one of its largest delegations for the Asian Games, with 501 athletes competing across 36 distinct sports. ANI News confirmed the contingent's size and scope, positioning it among the region's significant athletic forces. The Asian Games themselves draw from 45 countries and regions competing in 43 sports with 469 medal events total.
Manu Bhaker, who won two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, shared flag-bearing duties with Pawan Sehrawat, a member of India's gold-medal-winning men's kabaddi team from the previous Asian Games. The Statesman noted Sehrawat replaced shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor due to technical issues.
Ambassador Backs Women's Cricket Team for Medal Push
India's Ambassador to Japan Nagma Mohammad Malik participated in the Nagoya cycling event and expressed specific hopes for the women's cricket team. She described the cycling gathering as a "wonderful experience" that brought expatriate Indians together around a shared sporting cause.
Malik stated she wanted to attend the women's cricket final, signaling diplomatic-level support for India's medal ambitions in the sport. Her involvement reflected how the government is mobilizing both official channels and community engagement to build momentum for the Asian Games competition.
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