India at Asian Games 2026: Day 1 Full Schedule of Indian Athletes in Action Today on September 19
The 20th Asian Games officially commence in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on September 19, 2026. India's 499-athlete contingent will attend the Opening Ceremony from 14:30 PM IST. While Teqball semi-finals are scheduled, no Indian athletes are confirmed in action on this day.
The 20th Asian Games officially get underway in Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday, 19 September, with India embarking on its campaign to better the historic 107-medal haul achieved at Hangzhou. Day 1 of the continental showpiece is headlined by the grand Opening Ceremony at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium, alongside morning preliminary action featuring Indian competitors in teqball. Nagoya Weather Forecast for Asian Games 2026 Amid Typhoon 'Dujuan' Threat.
The Indian Olympic Association has named double Paris Olympic bronze medallist Manu Bhaker and defending two-time Asian shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor as the joint flag-bearers to lead the 496-member Indian contingent during the Parade of Nations.
Indian Athletes in Action on September 19
Before the cauldron is lit, sporting activity on Saturday morning centres on teqball knockout rounds. India's competitors return to the table following group-stage matches earlier in the week, seeking berths in the podium rounds across women’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
Meanwhile, the Indian women’s cricket team, fresh from an eight-wicket quarter-final victory over host nation Japan on Friday, will participate in scheduled training sessions ahead of their semi-final clash on Sunday morning. Where to Watch Asian Games 2026 Live Streaming Online and TV Channel Telecast in India.
| Sport / Discipline | Event & Stage | Participants / Details | Time (IST) |
| Teqball | Women’s Singles Semi-Finals | Quimcy Dsouza vs Sumaya | 06:30 AM onwards |
| Ceremony | Asian Games Opening Ceremony | Flag-Bearers: Manu Bhaker & Tajinderpal Singh Toor | 02:30 PM – 04:30 PM |
Flag-Bearers Lead Contingent at Paloma Mizuho Stadium
The focal point of Day 1 is the official Opening Ceremony, scheduled to run from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM IST (6:00 PM to 8:00 PM local Japan Standard Time) in Nagoya. Bhaker, who created history at Paris 2024 by becoming the first athlete from independent India to claim two medals at a single Olympic Games, joins Toor at the front of the parade.
A select delegation from India's 496-strong athletic squad will march, while athletes with early morning competitive fixtures on Sunday have been advised to skip the event to focus on their recovery.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 19, 2026 05:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).