New Delhi
In a historic moment for Indian sports, the nation secured a remarkable 100 medals—107 exactly—at the Asian Games 2023 held in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China. The crowning achievement was announced on a backdrop of excitement and anticipation in New Delhi as the city prepared to host a World Cup match. Golf, sepak takraw, sailing and bridge made it to the final tally of sports discipline.
This achievement represents a remarkable evolution in India’s performance on the Asian Games stage. Just two decades ago, in 2002 at the Busan Asian Games, India had secured a modest 36 medals. However, the nation’s commitment to sports and its athletes has steadily driven improvement. By 2006, during the Doha Games, India’s medal count had surged to 53, and it further climbed to 65 medals in 2010 at the Guangzhou Games. There was a slight dip in 2014 at the Incheon Asiad, where India acquired 57 medals. Nevertheless, India made a triumphant comeback at Jakarta and Palembang five years ago, achieving a record-breaking tally of 70 medals, marking their best-ever performance at that time.
This momentous achievement marks the first time that India has crossed the 100-medal mark at the Asian Games. It is a significant milestone, particularly considering that India had the honour of hosting the inaugural Asian Games in 1951 in Delhi and was second only to Japan at the time. Now, in 2023, India ranks fourth among Asian nations in terms of medals won.
Speaking about the progress in Indian sports, Deepa Malik, a Paralympic Games medalist and a true sports icon, expressed, “I wish I could have played in today’s era, where athletes receive comprehensive support, including the assistance of support staff, mental health conditioning coaches, and guidance from foreign coaches. Nevertheless, I’m happy to give back to the sport that I so dearly love.”
One of the standout moments of the Asian Games 2023 was the Indian women’s kabaddi team’s exceptional performance. They overcame a tough challenge from Chinese Taipei in the final, winning the gold medal match with a score of 26-25 at the Xiaoshan Guali Sports Centre in Hangzhou.
The medals were distributed across various sports disciplines: 9 in archery, 29 in athletics, 22 in shooting, 2 in badminton, 5 in boxing, 1 in bridge, 1 in canoeing, 2 in cricket, 2 in horse riding, 1 in golf, 1 in hockey, 2 in roller skating, 5 in rowing, 3 in sailing, 1 in sepak takraw, 5 in squash, 1 in table tennis, 2 in tennis, 5 in wrestling, 1 in wushu, and 1 in kabaddi.
Credit for this remarkable achievement goes to the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS), which consistently supported athletes and handled budget allocations efficiently. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, aims to empower elite Indian athletes, enhance their training, and facilitate Olympic medal wins. The Department of Sports identifies and sponsors promising athletes, with a focus on those with medal potential in the upcoming 2024 Paris and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The statistics are indeed impressive. At the Asian Games 2022, 124 Khelo India Athletes (KIAs) participated, and 36 of them secured medals. Esha Singh, who was discovered through the Khelo India Youth Games in 2019, joined the Khelo India Scheme and subsequently the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). The Sports Authority of India (SAI) played a crucial role in preparing athletes for the Tokyo Olympics, providing international training, equipment support during the Covid-19 pandemic, and top-notch pre-game training venues. India House in Tokyo also offered Indian culture and world-class facilities. SAI implemented rigorous standard operating procedures (SOPs), resumed national coaching camps, and laid out comprehensive plans for the 2024 and 2028 Olympics.
The Indian government’s unwavering support for sports is evident in its substantial budget allocation of Rs. 450 crores for the current Olympic Cycle. This allocation covers foreign exposure, national camps, quality coaches, support staff, and equipment for athletes. Additionally, over Rs 45 crores have been approved for more than 350 proposals from TOPS group athletes. In this year alone, Rs 220 crores have been earmarked for preparations for the Asian Games 2023. The government’s support extends to non-traditional sports such as kurash, jujutsu, and chess, with an expected participation of 600 athletes.
Deepak Malik, echoing the sentiment of many athletes, remarked, “This is a historic moment for Indian sports. The medal count at the Asian Games 2023 is even more impressive than the Paris Olympics.”
India’s remarkable journey in sports continues to inspire, and with continued support and dedication, the nation is set to achieve even greater heights in the world of athletics.
- Sunil Yash Kalra is a Women’s Cricket Historian and the founder of Indian Sports Fans.