WATCH: 88 member Indian contingent including 54 athletes arrives in Tokyo, starts training

Tokyo, July 19: An 88 member Indian contingent including 54 athletes arrived at Narita International Airport, Tokyo on Sunday. They were given a formal send-off and best wishes on Saturday night at Indira Gandhi International Airport by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, and MoS Sports Minister Nisith Pramanik.

 

Athletes and support staff in eight disciplines Badminton, Archery, Hockey, Judo, Swimming, Weightlifting, Gymnastics and Table Tennis departed from New Delhi to Tokyo. With 127 athletes, Tokyo Olympics will be India’s highest ever playing contingent.

 

 

 

During his address to the Indian contingent at the airport Thakur said that Tokyo Olympics 2020 is a momentous occasion for the country and the good wishes of 135 cr Indians are with the participating athletes. He said that you are a select few who are getting this great opportunity and have a long way to go in life, so must give your very best but without taking stress as PM Narendra Modi also suggested.

 

 

Thakur further said that the athletes must remain strong because when they represent the country in a competition, it's a battle of nerves and ultimately it's their mental strength which will be reflected in their performance.

 

As soon the Indian athletes arrived in Tokyo, they have started to train including the table tennis team, badminton team and sailing team.