World’s Biggest Multi Sports Extravaganza Begins, Heralding a New Era for the Rising Sun of Japan
The Olympic Council of Asia together with the Japanese Olympic Committee is conducting the XX Summer Asian Games 2026 in Aichi – Nagoya, Japan. The Opening Ceremony will take place on 19th September, while the Closing Ceremony will be held on 04th October. The motto of the much anticipated blue ribboned Regional Sports Extravaganza is ” Imagine One Asia “.
Approximately 11,000 athletes & 6,000 officials are expected to participate in the 16 day Asian sporting spectacle. 45 countries & territories including the historic first ever 02 member Asia Refugee Team will be competing in 469 events related to 71 disciplines in 43 sports. 05 Regional sports are included together with 03 Olympic sports also introduced. 03 sports proposed by the Organising Committee as well as 07 sports proposed by the Olympic Council of Asia are also part of the scheduled sports competitions.
07 Prestige partners, 10 Official partners, 12 Official sponsors together with 34 Official suppliers will power the Aichi – Nagoya 2026 Games in the cities of Nagoya & Tokyo as well as the prefectures of Aichi, Gifu, Osaka & Shizuoka. 48 venues for sports, a Fan zone, a Cruise Ship & the Athletes / Officials Villages will host the natives & foreigners to celebrate the
achievements of the Asian sports icons & celebrities.
The XX Aichi – Nagoya 2026 Asian Games are being held on the 75th anniversary of the first ever Asian Games hosted by New Delhi, India in 1951. Nagoya is the 03rd city in Japan to host the Summer Asian Games after Tokyo ( 1958 ) & Hiroshima ( 1994 ).
Hosts, Japan will field the largest team contingent of 925. China ( 803 ), South Korea ( 780 ), Thailand ( 682 ), Kazakhstan ( 559 ) & Chinese Taipei ( 469 ) are the other nations sending large contingents. Brunei ( 06 ), Timor – Leste ( 13 ), Iraq ( 14 ) & Yemen ( 17 ) are sending least team contingents.
Sri Lanka will be represented by 156 athletes & 82 officials. This is the largest ever Team Sri Lanka participating at the Asian Games, since it’s inception. The 100 men & 56 women will compete in 27 sports. Lady Artistic Gymnast, Nuyara Fernando & Male Modern Pentathlete, Isiwaruna De Silva will be the Sri Lanka Flag Bearers at the Opening Ceremony. Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage will be the most celebrated competitor representing the Indian Ocean island nation. He is the best male Javelin Thrower in the world at present. MAS Holdings are the official clothing sponsor while Lovi Ceylon have sponsored the attire for Opening & Closing ceremonies. Group Captain, Eranda Geeganage will be Chef – de – Mission of Team Sri Lanka while Ashok Jeyakumar will function as the Deputy Chef – de – Mission. The Ministry of Youth & Sports have funded the 238 strong Team Sri Lanka to the XX Asian Games Aichi – Nagoya 2026.
Report / Photo assisted by NOCSL Media