1st Asian Games: 1951 India.

Asian Games, also known as Asiad, is a Pancontinental multisport event held in every four years. Initially, the games were organized by Asian Games Federation (AFC) but later responsibility were given to Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). Till date their are 17 Asian Games are organized at different venues across Asia. We are going to discuss about 1st Asian Games that was held in India in the year of 1951.

Motto of Asian games was ' Play the game, in the spirit of the game.' The first Asian Games was officially inaugurated by then president of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

" The first Asian Games will promote the realization

of understanding and friendship among all nations

and will start a process which, as time passes, will

go on cementing the friendly ties between the peoples

of Asia

—President Rajendra Prasad

It was only 3 and 1/2 years from the independence and a newly form nation decided organized the world second largest sporting event. That time Prime Minister of India

Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru accepted the proposal and the Asian Games done its debut

in New Delhi, India. They 1st Asian Games were organized for 4 - 11 march, 1951. A

total of 489 athletes representing 11 countries gathered in the National Stadium of

in New Delhi, India. Total 57 events were organized of which Japan stood first with

total 60 medals and the host nation that is India stood second with 15 gold and total

51 medals. Main events that were organized in the Asian Games were Athletics, water

polo, basketball, swimming, weightlifting, football etc.

Asian Games are one of the most renowned sporting events of the world. Despite having numbers of participating nations only Japan and China has emerged as a table topper. Lets hope that in the coming years India will also shine as a table topper.