New Delhi, July 7 (Representative) Members of the Indian contingent for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games (CWG) showcased utmost confidence ahead of their departure, in a grand send-off ceremony held by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) here on Thursday.Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) Anurag Thakur was the chief guest on the occasion. Nisith Pramanik, Union Minister of State for MYAS and Home Affairs, Sandeep Pradhan, Director General of Sports Authority of India and Anil Khanna, Acting President of IOA were the other dignitaries present at the event. The ceremony also saw the unveiling official kits for the squad. The IOA has roped in JSW Inspire, who are also the Principal Sponsors of the squad, as kitting partners for the travel and playing kits. Manyavar has got on board as ceremonial kitting partners while Adidas are the official performance footwear partners of the squad.”Today with the vision and tireless efforts of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian sports has reached a higher level globally.
The performance at last year’s Olympic Games was our best ever and we have seen the improvement of our athletes across sports in recent times with our own eyes. The historic Thomas Cup win was one such occasion,” Thakur said.”This Indian CWG squad is definitely our best and strongest ever and I am confident that all our athletes will make India proud at a global stage yet again, the number of medals they win notwithstanding. We are all proud of them and the whole country will be behind them, whether in victory or in defeat. We wish you all the very best,” he added.Addressing the gathering Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General, IOA announced prize money for the medal winner at the Birmingham Games. The gold winners will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 20,00,000 while Rs 10,00,000 will be earmarked for silver winners. Bronze medal winners will be awarded Rs 7,50,000.”We are confident of a strong performance by the squad.
Their training and preparations have been top class and the Government of India and the Ministry of Sports have left no stone unturned to ensure that we put our best foot forward for the Birmingham CWG. I humbly express my gratitude towards them and wish all our athletes, coaches and support staff a hugely successful Games,” Mehta said.The Indian CWG squad has Adani Sportsline as the Principal Sponsor while JSW Inspire as the Principal and Kitting Sponsors. Herbalife Official are the Nutrition Partner, Manyawar are the Ceremonial Kitting Partner and Adidas are the performance footwear partners. INOX and Amul are Associate Sponsors, Borossil as Hydration Partners and SFA as Sports Ed-Tech Partner.India had won a total of 66 medals including 26 gold in the Games’ previous edition in Gold Coast, Australia, to finish a creditable third behind traditional powerhouses Australia and England.Over 90% of the medals including 25 of the 26 gold came from the six sports of Badminton, Boxing, Shooting, Table Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling. Athletics, Para-sports and Squash were the other medal winning sports for India.For the first time Women’s Cricket has been included in the quadrennial event. India will fancy their chances in the country’s most popular sport.