Asian test

Asian test

Jakarta Games will set tone for Tokyo 2020.

Beginning today, the Asian Games in Indonesia are rightly being seen as a big test for Indian athletes ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The multi-disciplinary sporting event will see a 572 member Indian contingent participating in 36 sports. Apart from traditional disciplines new sports such as kurash, pencak silat, roller skating and sepak takraw will witness Indian participation. The diverse contingent can be attributed to the slow but steady growth of non-cricket sports in India over the last few years. And with the likes of PV Sindhu in badminton, Sakshi Malik in wrestling and Dipa Karmakar in gymnastics, the country has a new crop of world beaters to look up to.

Moreover, India’s Asian Games participation comes after a strong showing at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games earlier this year. India had won 26 gold medals and 66 medals overall then, laying the platform for a solid showing at the Asian-level event. Plus, many Indian athletes are in good form and have picked up medals at notable international tournaments in the run up to Indonesia. For example, Indian boxers have won medals at the Chemistry Cup and Ulaanbaatar Cup, Sindhu won silver at the Badminton World Championships, and Hima Das won gold at the World Under-20 Athletics Championships.

In fact, there are high expectations from the athletics contingent. With the likes of Neeraj Chopra (javelin), Dutee Chand and Tintu Luka (track), this is the best track and field squad India has fielded in many years. A good haul of medals from them will be the ideal boost for 2020 Olympic preparations. Add to this other medal prospects such as Shiva Thapa (boxing), Manika Batra (table tennis), the men’s and women’s hockey teams and double Olympic medallist in wrestling Sushil Kumar, the medal tally projection of 81 should be within reach. Given the high stakes, Indian athletes must make Indonesia count.