Behave well, Asiad athletes told

New Delhi: Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Friday asked the Indian athletes and officials, who are part of the Asian Games contingent, to behave responsibly on and off the field during the mega sporting event starting in Jakarta on August 18.

India is sending a 800-plus contingent, including 572 athletes, to the Asian Games, which concludes on September 2 in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang.

"It is a matter of great pride you (athletes) are representing the country in the Games and you have earned this privilege. When you take part in the Games and when you stay in the Games Village, you will lose your individual identity and your identity there is just one name that is 'India'," Rathore said at the send-off ceremony organised by Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

"It is a big responsibility for you. Whatever you do on the field and off the field, please remember one thing that you are representing a billion strong nation.

You have to act with responsibility. Whether it is the athletes or officials, everybody should remember this all the time," he added.

IOA president Narinder Batra, Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, Indian contingent's Chef de Mission Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan were present at the ceremony.

A few of the country's top athletes, including hockey stalwart Sardar Singh, turned up at the ceremony.

The four deputy Chefs de Mission, including RK Sacheti, were also introduced to the gathering.

Rathore said he hoped India would win more medals than the previous edition but urged the participating athletes not to think too much about the results.

"You have been preparing for years now and must be having dreams (to win medals). Now you are approaching nearer to your event. I would advice you to remain confident that those thousands of hours of your training and hard work will help you.

Please don't worry about the results too much and you should remain confident of your abilities. The results will come running after you," he said.

"I have seen the courage and the confidence of Indian athletes has made a sea change as compared to the 1990s, whether it is a 15-year-old or a 40-year-old. I congratulate the IOA, the NSFs for preparing these athletes.

We have to work collectively, nobody can work alone. Ultimately, it is for the good of Indian sports."

He thanked the IOA for giving visibility to the Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India in the send-off ceremony.