The Asian Games, also known as Asiad, is a continental multi-sport event that occurs every four years, featuring athletes from across Asia. The governance of the Games was initially overseen by the Asian Games Federation (AGF) from the inaugural Games held in New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. However, since the 1982 Games, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has taken charge of organizing the event, following the dissolution of the Asian Games Federation.
These Games hold recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and are often referred to as the second-largest multi-sport event globally, coming second in scale only to the Olympic Games. Throughout its history, the Asian Games have been hosted by nine different nations. A total of forty-six nations have participated in the Games, although Israel, once a participant, was excluded after its last involvement in 1974. The most recent instance of the Asian Games was hosted in Hangzhou, China. Since 2010, host cities are responsible for managing both the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games. The latter event offers a platform for athletes with disabilities to compete among themselves. Importantly, the Asian Para Games and the Asian Games, while held in succession, operate independently of each other due to their exclusion from the same host city contract.
The Asian Games Movement employs a set of symbols to embody the principles outlined in the Asian Games charter. The official motto of the Asian Games, “Ever Onward,” was crafted and proposed by Guru Dutt Sondhi during the establishment of the Asian Games Federation in 1949. This motto signifies the continuous progress and advancement that the Games represent. The emblem of the Asian Games consists of a vibrant red sun with 16 rays radiating from its core, encircling a white circle positioned at the center of the disc. This emblem serves as a representation of the enduring and dynamic spirit of the Asian people, symbolizing their unwavering enthusiasm and warmth.
At the Asian Games 2023, India’s Divyansh Panwar and Ramita Jindal narrowly missed clinching the bronze medal in the 10m mixed air rifle event. This setback came as a surprise after two days of strong performances by the Indian shooting team. The bronze medal was ultimately secured by South Korea after an intense and captivating contest in which both teams put forth extraordinary efforts, vying for the third-place position. The Korean pair of Park Hajun and Lee Eunseo emerged as victors with a final score of 20-18.
In another sporting event, the Indian men’s hockey team, captained by Harmanpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh, displayed their dominance by each scoring a hat-trick. They convincingly defeated Singapore with a scoreline of 16-1, marking their second consecutive victory in the men’s hockey competition. This resounding win followed their earlier 16-0 triumph over Uzbekistan in the tournament opener, showcasing India’s remarkable goal-scoring prowess against Singapore, ranked 49th in the world.
