The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Thursday organised a mega 'send-off' ceremony for the Indian contingent, participating in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (CWG) here on Thursday.
Chief Guest Rajnath Singh, Minister for Home Affairs, and Guest of Honour Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs, wished good luck to the Indian athletes and officials for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Meanwhile, Narinder Dhruv Batra, President Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said, "It gives me immense pleasure to send one of our finest teams to compete at Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. We are confident that this contingent will return victorious and make the nation proud."
Wishing good luck to the Indian contingent, Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General of IOA, said, "I am sure our athletes will perform their personal best in these Games and bring back more medals this time".
He also urged the athletes to play safe and fair, respecting the rules of the sport.
India will see participation of 222 athletes from 15 different sports including Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cycling, Gymnastics, Hockey, Lawn bowls, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Para Sports. Athletics, Lawn bowls, Boxing, Weightlifting and Basketball teams have already left to Gold Coast for their preparatory camps and to get acclimatized to the weather conditions in Australia.
The prestigious Commonwealth Games will begin in Gold Coast from April 4.