The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president, P.T. Usha has said that she expects a good performance from Indian athletes at the upcoming Asian Games to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. She also stated that IOA is looking to take Indian chefs for the Asian Games, in an effort to make the athletes comfortable.
Going by the recent performance of our athletes, I expect them to do really well and better the number of medals we won in the previous Asian Games. Our athletes are in top form and some of them have recently come up with their personal best and I expect them to repeat that performance in the Asian Games,’’ she said during an interaction with the media ahead of the Asian Games Fun Run.
“Some athletes had expressed apprehension regarding the food served in the Asian Games Village. We are trying to ensure that our athletes don’t miss the Indian food. We are thinking of taking our chefs to Japan. However, during my last visit to the Games Village, I saw a couple of Indian restaurants nearby so I think getting Indian food won’t be a problem.”
Upon the uncertainty surrounding the Commonwealth Games and the effect it had on the preparation of the Indian athletes, Usha said, “We were unsure of the CWG being held at all when Melbourne pulled out. Glasgow stepped in to save the Games but we don’t have a full roster of events there and because of the uncertainty the preparations and camps started late. But I promise, the 2030 CWG Games which India will host will be much bigger.”
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August. The Asian Games will be hosted in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October 2026.
