India’s Asian Games 2026 Contingent: IOA Seeks Government Approval for 504 Athletes and Support Staff

The number of participants from India in the coming Asian Games will be reduced. In the Hangzhou Asian Games, the delegation from India included 661 members taking part in 40 sports events. This time, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has asked for government clearance for 504 members in 36 sports, which includes 275 men and 229 women. Government clearance has been sought for 167 coaching and support staff for the 504 members, and 69 more team officials.

The men’s and women’s cricket teams, who won the gold medal at the last Asian Games, will have the largest number of support staff. The BCCI will send 10 support staff members each to the 15-member teams. The shooting team, which won the maximum number of medals at the last Asian Games, with seven gold medals, will have 15 support staff for their 30-member team.

A 19-member IOA team, headed by Chief of Mission Sahdev Yadav, will also be part of the 740-member team. The IOA has asked for government clearance for 759-member contingent.

The men’s team will be captained by Shreyas Iyer and head coach by BVS Laxman. Former Test cricketer Sunil Joshi will be the bowling coach, former Indian batsman Rishikesh Kanitkar will be the batting coach, and Shubhdeep Ghosh will be the fielding coach. The women’s team will be coached by Amol Majumdar, bowling coach by Avishkar Salvi, and fielding coach by Munish Bali. The BCCI has requested 10 support staff and 10 additional staff for each 30-member team.

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