Asian Games Returns to its Roots for Torch Relay
Shooter Gagan Narang, who will be participating in his third Asian Games in Incheon, started the Delhi leg of the torch relay, that featured several other athletes, many of them just back from Glasgow with medals at the Commonwealth Games in various disciplines.
In 1951, Delhi's Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium is where the very first edition of the Asian Games were held. 63 years later, for the first time in Asiad history, the games torch was lit outside the host country, which is South Korea this time. The international relay will continue through a couple of more cities, with 40-45 torch bearers in each of them.
Shooter Gagan Narang, who will be participating in his third Asian Games in Incheon, started the Delhi leg of the torch relay, that featured several other athletes, many of them just back from Glasgow with medals at the Commonwealth Games in various disciplines.
"It was quite a nostalgic feeling, to be in the place where the Asian Games were born, and where the first torch relay happened", the Olympic bronze medallist told NDTV.
"We shooters had a great run in Glasgow, and hope to go to Incheon with the same positive frame of mind. For me personally, I would like to convert the two silvers from the last Asian Games, into gold this time", said Narang.
Riding high on their success at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Indian contingent will hope to repeat the performance in Incheon.
"We can't rely on our success of the Commonwealth Games anymore. In Asiad, there will be no doubles, there will be singles, and the team event that we will be participating in. Joshna (Chinnappa) and I will be eyeing the singles medals too, I think we have a good chance", sis squash champion Dipika Pallikal to NDTV.
The last edition of the Asian Games was India's most successful one ever, with a total of 64 medals from Guangzhou. Here's hoping it's even better this time around.