India is set to field a robust contingent of 215 athletes across 15 disciplines at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, commencing this Thursday. Haryana leads the representation with 39 athletes, mirroring its prominence from the Tokyo Olympics. Following closely are Punjab (26), Tamil Nadu (17), and Delhi and Maharashtra (14 each).
Haryana has consistently been a powerhouse in producing top-tier athletes in various sports like boxing, track & field, wrestling, and cycling. The current contingent from the state is well-balanced in terms of gender, with 19 out of the 39 athletes being women, as per the list compiled by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
The women’s hockey team, featuring eight players from Haryana, has been a significant contributor, narrowly missing out on an Olympic medal last year. The state boasts several strong contenders in boxing and wrestling, with athletes like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Jaismine Lamboriya.
The overall Indian contingent displays a diverse geographical distribution, aligning with the popularity of different sports in specific regions. Northern states like Delhi and Haryana dominate in contact sports such as judo, wrestling, and boxing. On the other hand, southern states like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Kerala are well-represented in racquet sports such as badminton, squash, and table tennis.
The wrestling contingent, expected to secure numerous medals, comprises 12 athletes exclusively from Haryana or Delhi. Haryana also dominates in boxing, providing six out of India’s 12 boxers. Notable badminton players like P V Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth hail from Telangana, while Tamil Nadu contributes significantly to squash and table tennis.
Despite its smaller population and fewer resources compared to states like Haryana and Tamil Nadu, Assam is sending a commendable representation of seven athletes to Birmingham. Among them, Lovlina Borgohain, a bronze medalist in Tokyo, and weightlifter Popy Hazarika are considered strong contenders for medals, showcasing the state’s potential in sports.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands, with a population just over 4 lakh, have excelled in cycling, marked by India’s best-ever performance at the Asian Track Championships. Esow Alben, the first Indian cyclist to break into the world’s top 10 rankings, represents a potential medal hope. His recent accomplishments include fifth place in the keirin event and eighth place in the sprint event in New Delhi last month. Esow’s teammate, David Beckham (the cyclist, not the footballer), adds to the cycling prowess of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. However, achieving a podium finish will require them to surpass significant challenges.
