The Indian Olympic Association on Saturday announced a 322-strong contingent comprising 215 athletes and 107 officials and support staff for the upcoming Birmingham Commonwealth Games. The Games are scheduled to be held in the British city from 28 July to 8 August, and India The team will look to improve on its Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games performance, where it finished third behind traditional powerhouses Australia and England.
Sharing his views, IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta said, “We are sending one of our strongest squads to the CWG and even with a mighty game for us such as no shooting, we will be able to move past We are confident to improve our performance from the version. “Make no mistake, the competition will be world class and fierce but our athletes have prepared well and are fit and eager to go. We wish them all the very best.” Indian athletes and officials heading for the Games will be staying in five different villages and the women’s cricket team will be housed in a separate facility in Birmingham city centre.
In a press release issued by the IOA, the top functionary of the apex sports body thanked the government for extending support to the athletes and federations. Mehta said, “It needs to be said that the Government of India led by Hon. Prime Minister has provided unprecedented support to the Olympic Games in recent years and our best performance so far in the Olympic Games is a testimony to this.” and are sure that our athletes will ensure that their tireless efforts are rewarded richly, most unions Play Ministry and Sports Authority of India. Some of the prominent names in the team include Olympic medalists Neeraj Chopra, PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu, Lovlina Borgohain, Bajrang Punia and Ravi Kumar Dahiya. Reigning Commonwealth champions Manika Batra, Vinesh Phogat as well as 2018 Asian Games gold medalists Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Hima Das and Amit Panghal are also part of the contingent. Boxing Federation of India (BFI) Vice President Rajesh Bhandari is the Chef de Mission of the team.
Team India will compete in four disciplines along with 15 sports disciplines in the Para Sports category. Some of the disciplines where India wants to do well include boxing, badminton, hockey, weightlifting, women’s cricket (making its debut in the CWG) and traditionally strong sports such as wrestling. The Indian team is also strong and ready for the challenge in athletics, cycling, swimming and table tennis.
Various members of the squad have reached Birmingham in the last few days based on the training arrangements laid down by their respective coaches. Some members are competing in various global tournaments and will reach the venue directly while the rest of the teams will leave from New Delhi. CWG Village will officially open its doors to troops on 23 July.
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