SAI supports Indian contingent for Asian Youth Games

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has extended support to the Indian contingent participating in the 3rd Asian Youth Games, slated to be held from October 22 to 31 in Bahrain. Around 45 countries with approximately 4,000 athletes will be seen in action in 26 sports disciplines.

According to Manjushree Dayanand, Executive Director, SAI Regional Centre, Chandigarh, the Indian squad, comprising 222 athletes will be competing in 21 sporting disciplines, including athletics, boxing, kabaddi, handball, tae kwon do, wrestling, weightlifting, swimming, judo and badminton alongside other emerging sports such as kurash, pencak silat, teqball and camel racing.

Supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Indian athletes will be joined by 90 coaches, a physio and officials, bringing the total strength to 312. The largest female representation will be in athletics, handball, reflecting the rise of young women players across the country. Former Olympics medalist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt has been appointed country’s Chef de Mission.

Among the 119 female and 103 male athletes, several are products of flagship government schemes, including Khelo India, Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Development and National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs). The Ministry has approved the participation of the contingent at full cost to the government, with SAI covering expenses for travel, boarding, lodging, insurance and ceremonial kits.

SAI’s medical team and physios will also accompany the contingent, ensuring that athletes receive round-the-clock support. Special attention has been given to anti-doping measures with NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency) conducting mandatory testing before departure and to the physical and psychological readiness of the team, Manjushree Dayanand said.

These games would serve as Asian qualifiers for the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics to be held at Dakar in Senegal, she added.