Asian Winter Games: 59-member contingent to represent India in China – Complete squad

A 59-member Indian contingent will represent India at the upcoming 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced on Friday.

The 59-member contingent also includes a 23-member men's ice hockey, who will be travelling to the Games on no cost to the government. This means that the Indian government will bear no expenses of the ice hockey team, who will compete at the quadrennial event at their own cost.

A controversy had erupted last month after the Sports Ministry had cut the Indian contingent sent for the Winter Games sent for approval by the Indian Olympic Association in half. This included the ice hockey team facing the axe.

The Sports Authority of India had agreed to send the men's hockey team to the continental games last week.

"As regards to Ice Hockey Team (Men), the Ministry received 2 separate list of players of Ice Hockey discipline from different bodies, neither of which is recognized by this Ministry," a statement from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports read.

"To ensure the best team comprising most suitable and fit players represent the country in the Asian Winter Games in public interest, the Sports Authority of India conducted selection trials and provided a list of 23 players to the IOA. However, no effort was made to update the Team pursuant to the trials and the final list sent by IOA contained the names of players selected by only one single faction.

"While the team finalised by IOA may participate in the event, government funding will not be provided, as sports governing bodies do not have automatic right to financial assistance under the 'Assistance to National Sports Federations Scheme,'" it added.

Besides the 59 athletes, a total of 29 officials will also travel to the Asian Winter Games. Seven officials from Ice Hockey and the Chef de Mission Harjinder Singh will travel on no cost to the government.

The Ministry won't fund the chef de mission since Singh is an office bearer of the Ice Hockey Association of India.

The 2025 Asian Winter Games will be held from 7 February to 14 February, 2025.

Indian squad for 2025 Asian Winter Games