India's official kit for Tokyo Olympics unveiled with 50 days remaining

The Indian contingent for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics is expected to be around 190, including over 100 athletes, IOA president Narinder Batra said on Thursday as Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju unveiled the official kits for the country's participants. So far, 100 athletes have qualified for the Tokyo Games, including 56 men and 44 women.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) expects another 25 to 35 to make the cut for the Games, which open on July 23. "...we are estimating to touch 125 to 135 (qualified athletes) by the next two to three weeks when the qualification process is over," Batra said during the online ceremony.

"This means the Indian contingent, including officials and support staff, is likely to be around 190," he added. The number of officials cannot be more than one-third of the athlete group as per the Sports Ministry rules. the ministry can, however, allo additional officials at no cost to the government.

Batra also reiterated that India's medal haul can touch the double-digit mark in Tokyo, which will be an unprecedented achievement.

The IOA chief said that all the athletes who have qualified for the Olympics have received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine except for a few who have recently contracted the virus. He requested Rijiju to ensure that all the Indian athletes are fully vaccinated before they head to Tokyo.

"The IOC will issue a Playbook (latest version) this month but there will be only minor changes (from earlier version). We have to follow all the health and safety protocols in view of the pandemic."

Unveiling the official kits of the Indian contingent, Rijiju said the whole country is behind the athletes. "Olympics is the platform where the best in the world will compete. I hope our athletes will make their best effort and make the country proud by winning medals," he said.

"Today, the Prime Minister took a review of the country's preparation for the Olympics and assured the participating athletes that the entire country is behind them," he added. He said his ministry has provided all kinds of support -- financial and logistical -- to the athletes amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The official kits are sponsored by Li Ning while the official ceremonial kits are sponsored by Raymonds. IOA Secretary General Rajiv Mehta said that four sets of official kits will be given to each athlete and more than 100 kits have been kept aside as contingency.

Offering vote of thanks at the event, IOA Secretary General, Mr. Rajeev Mehta said, "I'm grateful to Shri Kiren Rijiju ji for unveiling the ceremonial and playing apparel of Team India heading to the Tokyo Olympic Games next month. The unveiling of the sports kits for Team India coincides with the Remembrance Day of the visionary first President of the Indian Olympic Association-Sir Dorabji Tata, which is of great significance to the organisation and the team.

He also added, "We are sending one of the best Indian teams till date which comprises of many young and experienced talent, including fencer C. A. Bhavani Devi who is set to represent the country for the first time in Fencing sport,in the historyof the Games. All the athletes are training hard and are motivated for the Tokyo Olympics and I'm hopeful that our athletes will excel at the Games and willbring laurels for our country".

The event was also attended by Mr. Ravi Mital, Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Mr. Sandip Pradhan, Director General, Sports Authority of India, Chef de Mission of the Indian Contingent Mr. B.P. Baishya, Member of Parliamentand Deputy Chef de Mission Dr. Prem Chand Verma. Olympic bound athletes Bajrang Punia, Ravi Kumar, Deepak Punia, Sumit, Seema Bisla and Neeraj Chopra were also presentfor the unveiling ceremony held at the residence of the Hon'ble Sports minister.

India will send a strong contingent to the Tokyo Olympic Games and so far,athletes from 11 sports including Boxing, Hockey, Wrestling, Yachting, Athletics, Archery, Equestrian, Fencing, Rowing, Shooting and Table Tennis have qualified, with athletes from more disciplines expected to qualify further. Mr. Rashesh Shah, Chairman & CEO, Edelweiss Group said, "Olympics stand for endurance, excellence, long-haul training and hard work, values that strongly resonate with us at Edelweiss. As the world tackles an unprecedented pandemic challenge, the Tokyo Olympics will remind us of the values of resilience, perseverance and compassion in a whole new way.

We are honoured and privileged to be able to support India's Olympic dream with IOA and look forward to the Indian contingent scaling new heights in Tokyo"Edelweiss is the Principal Sponsor, Inox Group is the Entertainment partner and Nippon Paint is associate sponsor of IOA for the Tokyo OlympicGames.Celebrated Bollywood Playback singer and composer, Mohit Chauhan closed the evening on a fantastic note as he presented an awe-inspiring Olympic themed song, dedicated to the Indian athletes heading to the greatest sporting spectacle on earth, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games