Asian Games 2023: The 19th Asian Games are scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China from September 23 to October 8, 2023.
India will send a strong contingent of 655 athletes to compete in 41 of the total 61 disciplines. Aiming to surpass his best-ever medal tally at the 2018 Asian Games. Here are some important information about India’s participation and the Asian Games 2023 schedule
Asian Games 2023: Important Dates:
- Opening Ceremony: The Asian Games officially begin with the opening ceremony on September 23, 2023.
- Cricket, Football, Volleyball, and Beach Volleyball: These sports will start a few days earlier, on September 19.
- Indian Women’s Cricket: The Indian women’s cricket team starts its campaign on September 21, with the final scheduled for September 25.
- Men’s Cricket: Men’s cricket at the Asian Games begins on September 27, with the final scheduled on October 7. The Indian men’s cricket team will start their campaign on October 3.
A Diverse Team in the Asian Game
India’s representation at the 19th Asian Games is diverse, ranging from traditional favorites like cricket, hockey and badminton to athletics, wrestling, boxing and many more. The Indian cricket teams, both men and women, will be making their Asian Games debut, adding a new dimension to the competition. Soccer, volleyball and beach volleyball will kick off the program a few days before the official opening ceremony.
Key athletes to keep an eye on
Neeraj Chopra: Olympic gold medal-winning javelin throw sensation, Neeraj Chopra is all set to be India’s flag bearer at the Asian Games. As a defending world champion, all eyes will be on him as he aims to repeat his golden achievement from Jakarta 2018.
PV Sindhu: Top badminton player and two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu will lead the Indian badminton team. Along with Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen and bronze medalist HS Prannoy, Sindhu will try to bring home the gold.
Bajrang Punia: Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, Bajrang Punia will be a force to be reckoned with in men’s 65kg freestyle wrestling. His goal is to defend his title and maintain his dominance on the wrestling mat.
Mirabai Chanu: Tokyo 2020 silver medalist Mirabai Chanu, who is also a former world champion, is all set to make her Asian Games debut in the women’s 49 kg weightlifting division.
Lovlina Borgohain: Another Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain will compete in the women’s 75kg boxing category. Their performance will be important as these competitions will serve as qualifiers for the Paris Olympics.
Sports events and qualifications
- Athletics: India will have its largest representation in track and field, with 68 athletes participating. Athletics events will be held from September 29 to October 5, with the men’s javelin throw final on October 4.
- Badminton: The badminton events will take place from September 28 to October 7, with PV Sindhu leading the Indian team.
- Hockey: Both men’s and women’s hockey events will serve as qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The men’s hockey event starts a day before the opening ceremony.
- Boxing: Boxing events at the Asian Games 2023 will also serve as qualifiers for the Paris Olympics. Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain will represent India in different weight categories.
schedule of Asian Games 2023
| Sport/ Game | Events | Indian athletes competing | Dates |
| Archery | 10 | 16 | October 1-7 |
| Artistic Gymnastics | 14 | NA | September 24-29 |
| Artistic Swimming | 2 | NA | October 6-8 |
| Athletics | 48 | 68 | September 29 – October 5 |
| Badminton | 7 | 19 | September 28 – October 7 |
| Basketball (5×5) | 2 | 12 (1 team) | September 26 – October 6 |
| Basketball (3×3) | 2 | 8 (2 teams) | September 25 – October 1 |
| Baseball | 1 | NA | September 26 – October 7 |
| Boxing | 13 | 13 | September 24 – October 5 |
| Breaking | 2 | NA | October 6-7 |
| Beach Volleyball | 2 | NA | September 19-28 |
| Bridge | 3 | 18 | September 27 – October 6 |
| Cricket | 2 | 30 (2 teams) | September 19 – October 7 |
| Chess | 4 | 10 | September 24 – October 7 |
| Canoe Slalom | 4 | 4 | October 5-7 |
| Canoe Sprint | 12 | 13 | September 30 – October 3 |
| Cycling BMX Racing | 2 | NA | October 1 |
| Cycling MTB | 2 | NA | September 25 |
| Cycling Road | 4 | NA | October 3-5 |
| Cycling Track | 12 | 14 | September 26-29 |
| Diving | 10 | 2 | September 30 – October 4 |
| Dragon Boat | 6 | NA | October 4-6 |
| Equestrian | 6 | 10 | September 26 – October 6 |
| Esports | 7 | 15 | September 24 – October 2 |
| Football | 2 | 44 (2 teams) | September 19-27 |
| Fencing | 12 | 9 | September 24-29 |
| Golf | 4 | 7 | September 28 to October 1 |
| Hockey | 2 | 36 (2 teams) | September 24 to October 7 |
| Handball | 2 | 16 (1 team) | September 24 – October 5 |
| Judo | 15 | 4 | September 24-27 |
| Ju-Jitsu | 8 | 11 | October 5-7 |
| Kabaddi | 2 | 24 (2 teams) | October 2-7 |
| Karate | 14 | NA | October 5-8 |
| Kurash | 7 | 6 | September 30 – October 2 |
| Marathon Swimming | 2 | NA | October 6-7 |
| Modern Pentathlon | 2 | 1 | September 20-24 |
| Rhythmic Gymnastics | 2 | NA | October 6-7 |
| Rugby Sevens | 2 | 12 (1 team) | September 24-26 |
| Rowing | 14 | 33 | September 20-25 |
| Roller skating | 10 | 14 | September 30 – October 7 |
| Sailing | 14 | 16 | September 21-27 |
| Sepaktakraw | 6 | 16 | September 24 – October 7 |
| Shooting | 33 | 33 | September 24 – October 1 |
| Skateboarding | 4 | NA | September 24-27 |
| Squash | 5 | 8 | September 26 – October 5 |
| Soft tennis | 5 | 10 | October 3-7 |
| Softball | 1 | NA | September 26 – October 2 |
| Swimming | 41 | 21 | September 24-29 |
| Sport Climbing | 6 | 7 | October 3-7 |
| Taekwondo | 13 | NA | September 24-28 |
| Tennis | 5 | 9 | September 24-30 |
| Table Tennis | 7 | 10 | September 22 – October 2 |
| Trampoline Gymnastics | 2 | NA | October 2-3 |
| Triathlon | 3 | NA | September 29 – October 2 |
| Volleyball | 2 | 24 (2 teams) | September 19 – October 7 |
| Water Polo | 2 | NA | September 25 – October 7 |
| Weightlifting | 14 | 2 | September 30 – October 7 |
| Wrestling | 18 | 18 | October 4 – 7 |
| Weiqi (Go) | 3 | NA | September 24 – October 3 |
| Wushu | 15 | 10 | September 24-28 |
| Xiangqi | 3 | NA | September 28 – October 7 |
For more details head to the official website Olympics.