NEW DELHI , AUG 10,
Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Friday asked the Indian athletes and officials, who are part of the Asian Games contingent, to behave responsibly on and off the field during the mega sporting event starting next week in Indonesia.
India is sending a 800-plus contingent, including 572 athletes, to the Asian Games, to be held from August 18 to September 2 in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang.
“It is a matter of great pride you (athletes) are representing the country in the Games and you have earned this privilege. When you take part in the Games and when you stay in the Games Village, you will lose your individual identity and your identity there is just one name that is ‘India’,” Rathore said at the send-off ceremony of the Indian contingent organised by the Indian Olympic Association here.
“It is a big responsibility for you. Whatever you do on the field and off the field, please remember one thing that you are representing a billion strong nation. You have to act with responsibility. Whether it is the athletes or officials, everybody should remember this all the time,” he added.
IOA president Narinder Batra, Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, Indian contingent’s Chef de Mission Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan were present at the ceremony.
Athletes turns up for ceremony
A few of the country’s top athletes, including hockey stalwart Sardar Singh, turned up at the ceremony. The four deputy Chefs de Mission, including R K Sacheti, were also introduced to the gathering. Rathore said he hoped India would win more medals than the previous edition but urged the participating athletes not to think too much about the results. “You have been preparing for years now and must be having dreams (to win medals). Now you are approaching nearer to your event.
