Tokyo Olympics: India may send 190-strong contingent, says Narinder Batra
The Olympic Games 2020 is to be held in Tokyo from July 23. The event was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, IOA President Narinder Batra has affirmed that a 190-strong Indian contingent is likely to travel, with 100 already confirmed.
FollowAs the Tokyo Olympic Games date draws near, excitement is sweeping into the Indian athletes and the fans. The Indian contingent is training hard for the event, with as many as 100 athletes having already booked their place.
However, that's not all India has. The president of the Indian Olympic Association, Narinder Batra, has affirmed that the entire Indian contingent is likely to be 190-athlete strong. "...we are estimating to touch 125 to 135 (qualified athletes) by the next two to three weeks when the qualification process is over. This means the Indian contingent, including officials and support staff, is likely to be around 190," he said on Thursday, during the official kit launch event for the Indian Olympic athletes, reports PTI.
"The IOC will issue a Playbook this month, but there will be only minor changes. We have to follow all the health and safety protocols in view of the pandemic," he added, besides admitting that India is likely to attain double figures in terms of medal count, going past its previous best of six in London 2012.
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The official kit for the Tokyo-bound Indian athletes would be sponsored by Chinese-based sportswear company Li Ning, whereas Raymonds would sponsor the official ceremony kits. Meanwhile, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has asserted that the athletes would be entitled to all types of support during the Olympics.
"Olympics is the platform where the best in the world will compete. I hope our athletes will make their best effort and make the country proud by winning medals. Today, the Prime Minister took a review of the country's preparation for the Olympics and assured the participating athletes that the entire country is behind them," he said.
Among the 100 athletes qualified so far, it includes 56 men and 44 women, while 25 to 35 more are expected to be eligible in the coming days. So far, athletes from 12 sports (badminton, boxing, hockey, wrestling, sailing, athletics, archery, equestrian, fencing, rowing, shooting and table tennis) have earned qualification.
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