India has announced its 215-member contingent for the upcoming Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022 in Birmingham. The multi-sport event will begin on July 28 and will conclude on August 8, 2022.
The Birmingham-bound Indian athlete contingent has 215 members across 16 disciplines. 108 men and 107 women athletes have been named to represent the country in the quadrennial games. The upcoming edition will mark the country’s 18th appearance in the event and the travelling athletes will be looking forward to building on the country’s record of 66 medals (26 gold, 20 silver, 20 bronze) from the previous edition.
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In the 2018 edition of the Commonwealth Games, India had sent a 218-member strong contingent and managed to become third on the podium, following Australia and England in the top spots.
The overall Indian contingent is 322-member strong, with 72 team officials, 26 extra officials and nine contingent staff. Athletics and hockey has the biggest contingents (36 entries each), and is expected to delivery medals in Birmingham.
CWG debutants The Indian women’s cricket team will also be travelling with the Indian contingent.
India has won 28 medals in athletics in the CWG in their history. However, expectations are heavy on the shoulders of Anju Bobby George and Neeraj Chopra to deliver medals in the discipline. Anju, who will be competing in the long jump discipline, is in contention to compete for at least seven medals. Meanwhile Neeraj Chopra, who delivered India its first-ever gold medal in athletics in Olympics, is expected to extend his performance from the Diamond League to the CWG and win a gold medal in javelin. The 24-year-old is also likely to be the Indian flag-bearer at the event.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for gold, Rs 10 lakh for silver and Rs 7.5 lakh for bronze winners.
The IOA has appointed Rajesh Bhandari, current Secretary of Himachal Pradesh Olympic Association and Boxing Federation of India vice president, as the chef de mission for the CWG 2022.
