New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with and address the contingent of Indian athletes who participated in the recently concluded Hangzhou Asian Games 2022, on Tuesday.

Modi will interact with the athletes at around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday (October 10) at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, New Delhi.

India won its highest-ever medals tally of 107 medals, including 28 gold medals in Asian Games 2022.

The programme will be attended by the athletes of the Indian contingent for the Asian Games, their coaches, officials from the Indian Olympic Association, representatives of national sports federations, along with officials from the ministry of youth affairs & sports.

Earlier on Sunday, Modi lauded the Indian contingent for bagging the highest ever medals tally in the Hangzhou Asian Games.

"What a historic achievement for India at the Asian Games! The entire nation is overjoyed that our incredible athletes have brought home the highest ever total of 107 medals, the best ever performance in the last 60 years," Modi posted on X.

"The unwavering determination, relentless spirit and hard work of our players have made the nation proud. Their victories have given us moments to remember, inspired us all and have reaffirmed our commitment to excellence," he added further.

Hangzhou, Oct 8 (IANS) Introduce the first digital turf in Games history, which is the fusion of technology and ecology, and the grafting of technology and art, Hangzhou bid adieu to the 19th Asian Games with another sensational display of light, sound and music that left a mesmerising affect on the packed Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.

Embedded with LED lights, the turf is capable of outlining changeable images of a sea of stars, the turf is supposed to represent an interaction between “People and Landscape” showcasing the vibrancy of Hangzhou’s natural scenery, and the shared bonds and closely connected nature of Asia.

As hundreds of the athletes walked into the stadium, the Indian contingent was led by the men's hockey team's goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who along with Manpreet Singh became the only two Indian players to win two gold medals in hockey in the Asian Games.

If the opening ceremony was centred on water in its various forms, the closing ceremony focussed on people and showcased the exciting and touching moments of athletes throughout the Games while also representing thousands of volunteers and millions of citizens of Hangzhou and nearby areas as well as every person that made this Games possible.

The closing ceremony also highlighted the spirit of Sports Without Borders, the harmony between culture and sports and the intertwining relations between thought and feelings with the hope that it will inspire millions of youth across the Asian continent to take to sports and continue the movement in future.

The acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Randhir Singh, declared the 19th Asian Games closed. He thanked all stakeholders and people of Hangzhou for organising the best Asian Games of recent times in Hangzhou and invited the youth of the continent to assemble in three years in 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya in Japan for the 20th Asian Games.

The organising committee of the Hangzhou Asian Games, in the presence of Randhi Singh, then handed over the flag of the first Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951 and the flag of OCA to the Mayor of Aichi-Nagoya.

The organising committee of the next Asian Games in Japan then presented its vision of the 20th edition of the Continental extravaganza through popular motifs from the culture and music of Japan and Aichi-Nagoya.

Popular Kabuki actor Kankuro Nakamura performed on a virtual bridge, rendered in the style of an ukiyo-e woodblock print, the ancient art that his ancestors took from Aichi-Nagoya to Tokyo. 

With Nagoya Castle'sHonmaru Palace, which served as a central location for political functions during the Samurai era, as the backdrop, Kankuro and his son Kantaro performed in roles of "shishi" lion and cub at the virtual palace with digital technology used in producing a splendid display of Aichi-Nagoya's vaunted craftsmanship and culture.

The message was clear to all those present in the stadium that the organisers of the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya will definitely try to organise the Asian Games in as spectacular fashion as Hangzhou has done, if not better.

Farewell to Hangzhou and Hello to Aichi-Nagoya.

Hangzhou, Oct 7 (IANS) India made history by crossing the 100-medal mark in overall medals for the first time in the history of the Asian Games in the 19th edition of the Continental multi-nations, multi-discipline sports extravaganza that was first proposed and first hosted by India in New Delhi in 1951.

India's 100th medal was a gold won by the women's kabaddi team that defeated Chinese Taipei 26-25 in the final in Hangzhou. 

India's 100 medals in Hangzhou include 25 gold, 35 silver and 40 bronze. Of these 100 medals, male participants have won 47 medals (12-17-18) while women have claimed 44 (9-18-19) while seven have come in mixed events.

India had 95 medals at the end of competitions on Friday night with the men's hockey team winning the gold medal by beating Japan in the final.

On Saturday, Aditi Gopichand Swamy added a bronze and then Jyothi Surekha Vennam won the gold in the Compound Women's Individual archery competition to take the count to 97.

Ojas Pravin Deotale and Abhishek Verma bagged gold and silver respectively in the Compound Men's Individual archery to take the count to 99. The women's kabaddi team then pushed it to the 100 mark.

This is India's highest-ever medal haul in the Asian Games, surpassing the 70 medals that the country won in the previous edition of the Games in Indonesia in 2018.

Hangzhou, Oct 4 (IANS) World and Olympic javelin throw champion Neeraj Chopra is a man of the big stage. He produces his best efforts when the world is looking for him.

On Wednesday, at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Chopra came up with his biggest throw of the season, a monster 88.88 metres that ensured his numero uno status in the Continent.

Chopra won the javelin throw competition at Hangzhou with his season's effort and the bonus for India was that Kishore Kumar Jena produced his personal best of 87.54 to claim the silver medal, making it a 1-2 for India on the podium. Japan's Roderick Genki Dean took the bronze medal with an 82.68m. The rest of the field failed to cross the 80m mark.

But the event started on a dramatic note, as the officials failed to measure Chopra's throw and the 25-year-old had to make another attempt to start his campaign.

"I made my first throw and was waiting for the distance to come on the board. But it did not. When I inquired with the judges, they said there was a technical delay and the instrument failed to measure my throw. I also tried checking it on the video but they could not find the mark," said Neeraj after the final.

"The officials explained that the next participant had made his attempt early and therefore they could find my mark. It was strange. 

"They said the only thing they could do was to let me make my first throw again. As other participants were waiting and the competition was held up, I agreed to their suggestion and made my first throw again," said Neeraj Chopra. 

"That was a very good throw, a big one," he added.

Chopra thus started with a throw of 82.38m and followed it up with 84.49 on his second. He fouled his third turn but then annihilated the competition with the big one -- 88.88 which was a centimetre longer than the 88.17 he produced to win the World Championship gold in Budapest a few weeks back.

Chopra, the defending champion who won the gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia with a throw of 88.06, said he was happy to end his season with a gold medal. 

While the focus was on Chopra, Kishore Kumar Jena surprised everyone by winning the silver.

The opportunity was for him to take advantage of the absence of Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who pulled out on the eve of the competition with an injury.

Nadeem had crossed the 90m mark in Birmingham last year and was expected to go head-to-head with Chopra as he did in finishing second in the World Championship in Budapest.

But that was not to be and Jena grabbed the opportunity with both hands as he came up with his personal best of 87.54 with his fourth throw and sealed the second place behind Chopra. He did try to throw it further but fouled on his last two attempts.

"I am very happy for Jena," said Neeraj Chopra. "When he made that 87.54 throw I went and hugged him. I had hugged him before the start of the event but once you get into competition mode, you try to do your own things. But I am very, very happy for Jena," said Chopra.

Jena was ecstatic that he managed to produce his personal best so late in the season. He had finished a creditable fifth in the World Championships in Budapest in his maiden entry in the final. 

Hangzhou, Oct 3 (IANS) Indian Women's Hockey Team on Tuesday sailed into the semifinals of the 19th Asian Games, with a resounding 13-0 win over Hong Kong China in their last Pool A match, here on Tuesday.

Vandana Katariya (2’, 16’, 48’), Deepika (4’, 54’, 58’) Monika (7’), Deep Grace Ekka (11’, 42), Sangita Kumari (27’, 55’), Vaishnavi Vithal Phalke (34’), and Navneet Kaur (58’) were the goal scorers for India.

The game kicked off with India launching a relentless offensive against Hong Kong China, leading to a commanding 4-0 advantage in the first quarter. Vandana Katariya (2’) found the back of the net with a superb field goal following which Deepika (4’) and Monika (7’) also contributed with a field goal each.

Additionally, vice captain Deep Grace Ekka (11’) successfully converted a penalty corner, securing a comfortable lead for her team.

The second quarter mirrored the first, with India maintaining their firm control over the game. They held onto possession, mounted relentless attacks, and managed to further increase their lead.

Vandana (16’) showcased her prowess yet again with an impressive field goal. In addition, Sangita (27’) added to India's advantage by finding the back of the net, ensuring that India headed into halftime with a commanding 6-0 lead.

Even with a comfortable lead, the India displayed unwavering determination in the third quarter, maintaining their dominance on the field. Vaishnavi (34’) and Deep Grace (42') netted a goal each from penalty corners, further solidifying their team's position as the Indian team had an 8-0 lead at the end of the penultimate quarter.

India maintained their hunger for goals, and they executed their intent by scoring five times in the fourth quarter. Vandana (48’), Deepika (54’, 58'), Sangita (55’), and Navneet (58') netted the goals in the last quarter to seal a thumping 13-0 victory.

With this win, India remained unbeaten in the Pool stage and will now compete in the semifinal on October 5.

Hangzhou, Oct 2 (IANS) Ruturaj Gaikwad, India’s captain for the men’s T20 competition in the Asian Games, said meeting various non-cricketing athletes at the games village made realise what it means to represent the country, making his side more focused towards winning the gold medal and stand on the podium.

Gaikwad will be captaining the Indian team at the Asian Games when they take on Nepal in the quarter-final clash on Tuesday, also marking the first time the men’s cricket team is participating in the multi-sport event.

"In cricket, we have the World Cup, the IPL and domestic tournaments, so we are used to that kind of atmosphere and situations. But coming here and going to the village, we really got to know about the athletes — what kinds of struggle they go through and the dimensions of each sport.”

"Hardly (in) 2-3 years or four years (that) they get an opportunity to play for the country and represent it. We took a lot of pride from yesterday’s visit (to the Games’ village) and got to know that how special it is — obviously we do know but it just reflected a yesterday little bit more to represent the country. Coming to the Asian Games, everyone is eager to win the gold for the country and stand up on the podium,” said Gaikwad in a video posted on bcci.tv, in a chat with reporters at the Games village.

For the last few days, Gaikwad and other members of the team have been attending various sporting events in the Asian Games. “It was a really great chance to see our country play across various sports such as badminton, tennis or even hockey. It was a matter of great pride.”

"We all enjoyed a lot cheering for our team. Participating in Asian Games is a big opportunity and a matter of great pride for all these players to see the emotions while watching matches. I am really looking forward to this tournament,” he added.

Talking about the learnings he has taken from his time under Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni, Gaikwad revealed, "I got to learn a lot of things from him (Dhoni), but every person has a different style. His style is different; his personality is different and my personality is a little different. I will try to be myself, and not really look at what he usually does."

"Obviously, yes you have to pick out some things that he does really well, how he handles situations and how he handles particular players during a match. These are the few things I have picked from him. I just want the players to express themselves, lead the way I want to and give how much freedom that I can."

The matches will be held at the Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field in Hangzhou, China, where the Indian women’s team had won the gold medal in initial days of the competition. With the ground being small in dimensions, Gaikwad felt players will adjust to conditions and dimensions on match days.

"Everyone, throughout their careers, be it domestic or anything (else), has gone through such dimensions on the cricket ground and I think they are all used to it. Growing up, we have been usually playing on these kind of grounds and even (in) local cricket, many games, more than 100 games on these kind of grounds. I am pretty sure everyone is used to it and will adapt.”

Hangzhou, Sep 26 (IANS) A businessman with an interest in interiors, Vipul Chheda has no technical knowledge of equestrian sports or dressage competition. The only reason he follows horses and horse riders is that his son Hriday is an equestrian player and represents the country in the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

That was the reason why he was at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport in Mumbai on September 20 night -- to board a flight to China to be in Ningbo and watch his son participate in the dressage competitions.

"Mark my word, my son will win a medal in the Asian Games," said Vipul Chheda as he waited in the queue to get to the check-in counter.

His prophecy came good and Hriday along with teammates Anush Agarwalla, Sudipti Hajela and Divyakriti Singh made history when they won the gold medal in the Dressage Team event -- the first-ever gold medal in Dressage and the first medal in Dressage in four decades. India had won a bronze medal in the Dressage Team event way back in 1982 when the sport made its Asian Games debut in New Delhi.

"My father is an eternal optimist, He doesn't know much about the technicalities of Equestrian or of Dressage," Hriday told IANS on Tuesday after playing a key role in the team's golden triumph.

"Like all parents, he always wants the best of me and that's why he must have said that. It was a very tough event and very challenging and all four of us gave it our best to make it possible," said the 25-year-old rider from Pune. He said 

Though his father may not know much about equestrian sport, Hriday says Vipul has been his most ardent supporter from the day he decided to take up equestrian as his profession.

"My father has always supported me 100% from day one. Equestrian is a very costly sport and you can't do without support from your family. He never objected to me taking up riding, he has been interested in horses. It has been difficult for me, it needed a lot of hard work, to be in Europe, working with horses, learning dressage and competing in events there," said Hriday, who initially took up dressage and show jumping before shifting to the former.

On their golden triumph on Tuesday, Hriday said all of them were confident of doing well and did their best from the first rider out in the morning. "We had our first rider out after 8 a.m. and after that, everyone just remained focused on doing our best. It is a huge achievement for all of us to win this medal after 42 years," he said.

"Sudipti went out first and then Divyakriti followed by Anush and me. At 25, I am the oldest among them and I know how much handwork all four of us have put in," he said.

Hriday seconded his teammates when they said that they were never in doubt about winning the medal but added that it was an incredibly tough challenge.

All four of them will return to the Tonglu Equestrian Centre on Wednesday to compete in the Dressage Individual competition in which they have qualified. 
Hriday is confident that they will win medals in Individual Dressage too.

More attention to equestrian sports

Hriday hoped that their gold medal would get more attention from the authorities for equestrian sports and it would get the support that it deserved.

"Our federation (Equestrian Federation of India) has gone through a lot of turmoil recently (because of governance issues). I just hope that things will get better soon. I hope that we winning the first-ever gold in dressage and a medal in dressage after such a long gap will get equestrian support from all quarters. It is a very costly sport and players need all the support that they can get," said Hriday.

He did not agree that dressage as an event was the most difficult of all equestrian events because of the high degree of coordination required between the rider and horse as they perform a series of predetermined movements, known as ‘figures’ or “movements” in an arena of 20x60 metres. In all competitions, the horse has to show the three paces: walk, trot and canter as well as smooth transitions within and between the 12 lettered markers placed symmetrically in the arena.

"I would not like to go into which one is more difficult, all of them are tough. Dressage is a little bit more technical but others have their own challenges like if you make a mistake, you can fall off the horse," he said.

The four riders must definitely be hoping that their victory in Hangzhou not only gets support for the sport from all quarters, it also inspires youngsters to take up equestrian sport. 

"Without more support from the federation, the governments, families and society, we may reach a situation where we may have to wait for 42 years again for the next medal in dressage. We don't want that to happen," he said.

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], September 22: The Indian Esports community is buzzing with excitement as Yash Bhalawala, hailing from Gujarat, has been selected as the Manager for the Indian Esports Contingent participating in the 19th Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China. This prestigious appointment underscores Bhalawala’s dedication and expertise in the field of esports management.

With a proven track record of leadership and a deep understanding of esports, Yash Bhalawala is set to play a pivotal role in guiding the Indian Esports Team to success at the 19th Asian Games. His experience in team coordination, strategic planning, and his passion for esports make him the perfect fit for this role.

The 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, will be a significant platform for India to showcase its talent on the global esports stage. India is participating in four Title namely

Yash Bhalawala’s appointment as Manager reflects the nation’s commitment to nurturing and promoting esports talent, and it is expected to inspire aspiring esports enthusiast across India.

• FIFA ONLINE 4: charan jot singh and karman singh
• Street FighterV: champion edition . Mayank Prajapati and Ayan Biswas
• DOTA2: Darshan Bata (Captain), krish gupta, Abhishek Yadav, ketan Goyal and Shubham Goli
• League of Legend: Akshaj Shenoy (Captain), Samarth Trivedi, Mihir Ranjan, Aditya Selvaraja, Aakash Shandilya and Sanindhya Malik

In his new role, Yash Bhalawala will be responsible for managing the Indian Esports Team’s preparations, coordinating with players, coaches, and support staff, and ensuring that the team is in peak performance for the highly competitive Asian Games.

Speaking about his appointment, Yash Bhalawala said, “I am deeply honored and excited to take on the role of Manager for the Indian Esports Team at the 19th Asian Games. Esports has tremendous potential in India, and I am committed to ensuring.

“The development of esports in India is an exhilarating journey, and I’m thrilled to be part of this incredible growth. Esports not only offers exciting opportunities for players but also contributes significantly to the country’s digital and sporting landscape. We’re on the path to achieving remarkable milestones, and I’m committed to ensuring that India’s esports talent shines on the global stage,” said Yash Bhalawala, Manager of the Indian Esports Contingent.

The 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, are scheduled to take place from  23 September 2023 to 08 October 2023. The Indian Esports contingent , under the guidance of Yash Bhalawala, will be competing in various esports disciplines, aiming to bring glory to the nation.

About Yash Bhalawala:

Yash Bhalawala is a prominent figure in the Indian esports community, known for his dedication to the industry and his expertise in esports management. Yash Bhalawala is also Director at Esports Association of Gujarat.

Yash has played a vital role in the growth and development of esports in the region. His appointment as Manager for the Indian Esports contingent at the 19th Asian Games underscores his commitment to advancing esports in India.

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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Rinku Singh has revealed that everyone at his home was elated and danced when they heard the news of him getting selected in the Indian squad for the Asian Games.

Despite doing well in domestic cricket for many seasons and having a terrific IPL 2023 season where he scored 474 runs in 14 matches for KKR, Rinku wasn't picked in the Indian squad from the T20s series in the Caribbean.  

However, the left-handed batter later made the cut for Asian Games 2023, which is scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China.

"Everyone at home wanted me to play for India and when I got selected everyone danced. Everyone was happy," Rinku Singh said in a video posted on the BCCI website.

The 25-year-old-year also revealed how life has changed for him after he smacked five sixes in an over of Gujarat Titans pacer Yash Dayal during IPL 2023 season.

"After those five sixes life changed a lot. People knew me at the time but I was not that popular after that a lot of people came to know about me," Rinku said.

"It was a special innings since that knock everyone started to call me lord. In the game against Gujarat Titans earlier this year when Knight Riders looked like their chances were slim Rinku pulled off a heist," he added.

Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], July 28:  Yash Bhalawala of Vadodara has been appointed as the manager of the Indian team for Asian Games ranking in the International Road to Asian Games (FIFA Online / EA Sports Branded Soccer Games) scheduled from 2nd to 6th August 2023 at Seoul, South Korea.  Which is a matter of pride for Vadodara.  Currently, Yash Bhalawala is working in the Sports Authority of India and is working in the All India Federation.  The players will be accompanied by Yash Bhalawala as the dignitary representative of the eSports Association of Gujarat.  His extensive experience in the eSports industry and dedication to promoting eSports at the grassroots level has made him an important part of the Indian eSports ecosystem.

 The Road to Asian Games event in Seoul presents a golden opportunity for the Indian team to compete against some of the best esports athletes from across the Asian continent.  The event also serves as a stepping stone for qualification to the upcoming Asian Games, where eSports will feature as a medal sport for the first time in history.  The eSports Association of Gujarat and the entire Indian esports community rally behind the team, wishing them all the best for the event.  The team’s journey to Seoul was made possible by the joint efforts of various stakeholders and their unwavering support for the growth of eSports in India.

 “As the FIFA Online 4 Indian eSports team gets ready to make their mark on the international stage, they aim to make the nation proud and inspire a new generation of eSports enthusiasts in the country,” says Yash Bhalalawala of the eSports Association of Gujarat.

About eSports Association of Gujarat: The eSports Association of Gujarat is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of eSports in the state and is a member of the eSports Federation of India.  With a vision to build a thriving eSports ecosystem, the eSports Association of Gujarat actively supports talented players and helps them reach their full potential on both national and international platforms.

 The highly talented and determined Indian eSports team of FIFA Online 4 is all set to embark on an exciting journey.  He is set to represent the nation at the prestigious Road to Asian Games event in Seoul.  The event, to be held from 02 to 06 August 2023, promises to showcase the region’s top gaming talent.  The Indian team is eager to make its mark on the international stage.  Consisting of two exceptional players and one distinguished representative, the Indian FIFA Online 4 eSports team is full of passion and dedication to showcase their skills and bring glory to the nation.  Team members include:

• Charanjot Singh:- A 20-year-old college student from Chandigarh describes himself first, as a football fanatic.  “When I’m not playing FIFA on my console, I’m watching it on TV or I’m out on the field playing football,” he says, laughing.  He is now one of two FIFA 22 players selected for the 15-man esports squad.  who will represent India in the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.  Ranked as the No. 1 FIFA 22 athlete in India, he has won the AIFF eFootball Challenge twice, consistently proving his mettle in the Indian gaming circuit.  Moving from India, Charanjot has showcased his skills internationally by winning the FGS Singapore Open, FGS South Asia Play-ins, FIFA eNations Asia Playoffs and the FAS eSports Championship.  Moreover, he has proudly represented India in various places like Denmark, London (three times), Qatar and Malaysia.  Due to its continued success, India has been ranked 6th in the world of FIFA esports.  Interestingly, Charanjot didn’t own a console until a few years ago and started playing on a friend’s desktop.  After his first win at the EA Road to Russia event in 2018, his parents bought him their own.  After seeing his son’s achievements so far, he now sees esports as a viable career option.  “It has come to a point where my mother, who doesn’t watch any of my games, has taken an interest in how I perform. She asks for regular updates and advises me to focus on honing my skills and  This motivates me enough to want to bring the medal home,” says Singh.  Singh’s mother, who works in the government, is proud of her son and his achievements so far in esports.  “I am happy that he is pursuing what he loves because that is the most important thing. But I also make sure that his studies are not affected, and he manages both on his own very well,” she said.  expressed.  At the Asian Games, Charanjot will carry the hopes of not just his parents but the entire nation on his shoulders as he looks to bring back the medals to India.

• Karman Singh Tikka:- Hailing from Delhi, Karman Singh, also known by his in-game name “Tikkatown”, is a talented 20-year-old FIFA 22 player.  which has made a name for itself in the competitive gaming community.  With 10 times more pressure than usual at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, Karman expects himself to come home with a medal from the tournament.  His confidence and command of the game helped him secure 2nd place in the inaugural Hero eISL, Karaman’s skills also helped him secure 1st place in the AIFF eFootball Challenge Qualifier.  Karaman’s love for football goes beyond gaming.  After starting watching football in 2009, he watched Chelsea win the Premier League and immediately became their lifelong supporter.  However, when it comes to FIFA 22, Kerman has the choice to pick Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as his team of choice.  “PSG have the best dribblers in the game, and I’m happy to use their skills and abilities to get an edge on the virtual pitch,” says Karaman.  With his dedication, talent and strategic brilliance, Karman has all the attributes to make the country proud and realize his dreams at the Asian Games.

Roseau (Dominica), July 15 (IANS) After being made captain of the Indian team for the men’s T20 event in the 19th Asian Games, opener Ruturaj Gaikwad said the dream would be to win a gold medal in the competition, stand on the podium and sing the national anthem.

"As Indian fans, everyone is supporting whatever sports the country is playing. Any series or any World Cup, but I think this is something special. We will definitely play a brand of cricket where everyone back home will be proud and it’ll also be exciting to watch, so do follow and support us. The dream would be to win the gold medal, stand on the podium and sing the national anthem for our country," said Gaikwad in a video posted by the BCCI on their social media handles.    

Gaikwad will be leading a second-string men's team in the Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, making it the first time India will be participating in the cricket event after not taking part in the 2010 and 2014 editions.  

"I think it will be really exciting for everyone who are a part of this squad to represent the country in the Asian Games. Obviously winning the medal for the country is something we always grew up watching on TV and seeing athletes win it for the country. The opportunity to win a medal out there will be really special," added Gaikwad.  

The men’s cricket competition will take place from September 28 to October 8 in a T20 format. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who hit a magnificent 171 on Test debut against West Indies at Dominica, is included in the side for the Asian Games alongside Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, Shahbaz Ahmed, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, Washington Sundar and Rahul Tripathi.

"I think it will be great fun, to be honest, because everyone, I think we all are youngsters. We have been really gelling around very well with each other for the last one or two years. Playing IPL against each other, playing India 'A' games and playing some India games as well. So really fun group to be part of," stated Gaikwad.

Yash Thakur, R. Sai Kishore, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, and B. Sai Sudharsan are the stand-by players for the Indian team in the Asian Games. Gaikwad, the right-handed batter, also expressed gratitude to the selectors for making him the captain of the side for the Asian Games.

"Really thankful for this opportunity given by BCCI, the management and the selectors. Playing for India itself is a really proud feeling. Leading the team in such a big event, I think it would be a great opportunity for me personally and also for all the team members who are there alongside me. So, really looking forward and really happy and obviously, feeling really proud."

New Delhi, June 29 (IANS) Important issues like the Indian teams' participation in the Asian Games and sponsorship and media rights will be discussed in the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) Apex Council meeting, which is likely to take place on July 7.

As per the reports, the participation of BCCI in the upcoming Asian Games for both men's and women's teams will be one of the important matters on the agenda of the meeting. The Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8.

The upcoming meeting is also expected to discuss sponsorship and media rights for the BCCI.

Earlier, this month BCCI had announced the release of an Invitation to Tender for National Team Lead Sponsor Rights after Ed-Tech major BYJU's left the scene at the end of the last financial year.

Furthermore, the playing conditions pertaining to the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Tournament, specifically the Impact Player Rule, are likely to be addressed or discussed in the meeting.