Ever onward with the 1st Asian Games 1951
The Asian Games are the second-largest multi-sport event in the world after the Olympics, bringing together athletes from across the continent to compete in various disciplines. But how did this prestigious event start? And what role did India play in its inception and organization? In this article, we will explore the history and significance of the first Asian Games, held in New Delhi in 1951.
The origin of the Asian Games
The idea of a continental sporting event for Asia can be traced back to the Far Eastern Championship Games, or the Oriental Olympics, which were held from 1913 to 1934 in Japan, Philippines, and China. These games were discontinued due to political tensions between Japan and China and the outbreak of World War II.
However, the desire to revive the games and include more nations from West Asia was still alive among some Asian leaders and sports officials. In 1947, at the Asian Relations Conference in New Delhi, an assembly of representatives from almost all Asian nations, the proposal of a multi-sport event for Asia was discussed and supported by prominent Indian figures like Jawaharlal Nehru, who later became the first Prime Minister of India, and Sarojini Naidu, a poet and political activist.
The following year, at the 1948 London Olympics, Guru Dutt Sondhi, the Indian International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative, suggested a more inclusive competition that would involve all the independent Asian countries of the time. His proposal was well received by China and Philippines, who had earlier attempted to revive the Far Eastern Championship Games.
On 13 February 1949, the Asian Games Federation was formally established in Delhi, with Delhi unanimously announced as the first host city of the Asian Games. The first edition of the games was planned for 1950 but was postponed by a year due to delays in preparation.
The first Asian Games
The first Asian Games, officially known as the First Asian Games, were held in New Delhi from 4 to 11 March 1951. The games received names like First Asiad and 1951 Asiad. The official logo of the games was a bright red sun with 16 rays and 11 rings, representing the participating nations and the spirit of peace.
The games saw 489 athletes from 11 nations, namely Afghanistan, Burma (present-day Myanmar), Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka), Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and India, compete in 57 medal events across six different sports - athletics, aquatics (diving, swimming and water polo), basketball, cycling, football and weightlifting. Boxing was also a popular choice to be included in the programme but was eventually dropped.
The games were inaugurated by Rajendra Prasad, the President of India, at the National Stadium, which was the venue for all events. The athlete's oath was taken by Baldev Singh, a hockey player from India, and the torch was lit by Dalip Singh, an athlete from India.
The games were a success in terms of organization and participation. Japan emerged as the most dominant nation, winning 24 gold medals and 60 medals in total. India came second with 15 gold medals and 51 medals overall. The Philippines, Iran and Singapore completed the top five in the medal table.
The games also witnessed some historic feats and memorable moments. For instance:
- Sachin Nag of India became the first Asian Games gold medallist by winning the men's 100m freestyle swimming event.
- Lavy Pinto of India became the first Asian Games double gold medallist by winning the men's 100m and 200m sprint events.
- Japan won all the gold medals in cycling and weightlifting.
- Iran won its first international football title by defeating Burma in the final.
- Singapore won its first gold medal in any sport by winning the men's water polo event.
The games also showcased the cultural diversity and unity of Asia. The closing ceremony featured a parade of athletes and a cultural programme that included folk dances and songs from various regions of India. The games were declared closed by Nehru, who gave a speech that emphasized the importance of friendship and cooperation among Asian nations.
The legacy of the first Asian Games
The first Asian Games were more than just a sporting event. They were a symbol of Asian solidarity and identity in a post-colonial world. They were a platform for newly independent nations to assert their presence and potential on the global stage. They were a catalyst for the development and promotion of sports in Asia.
The first Asian Games also paved the way for the continuation and expansion of the Asian Games movement. The second edition of the games was held in Manila, Philippines in 1954, and since then, the games have been held every four years (except for 2022, when they were postponed to 2023 due to COVID-19) in different cities of Asia. The games have grown in size and scope, with more sports, disciplines, events and participants. The latest edition of the games, held in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia in 2018, featured 465 events in 40 sports and disciplines, with 11,646 athletes from 45 nations.
The first Asian Games also left a lasting impact on India's sporting culture and infrastructure. The games inspired many young Indians to take up sports and pursue excellence. The games also led to the construction and renovation of several sports facilities in Delhi, such as the National Stadium, the Talkatora Stadium, the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. These venues have hosted many national and international events over the years, including the 1982 Asian Games, the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The first Asian Games were a milestone in the history of Asian sports and a proud moment for India. They were a testament to the vision and efforts of the pioneers who conceived and organized them. They were a celebration of the diversity and unity of Asia. They were a reminder of the motto of the games: "Ever Onward".
Source:
(1) 1951 Asian Games - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1951_Asian_Games.
(2) First Asian Games: New Delhi 1951 medals table and history - Olympics.com. https://olympics.com/en/news/first-asian-games-india-1951.
(3) 1951: First Asian Games in India - Make Heritage Fun!. https://www.makeheritagefun.com/1951-first-asian-games-in-india/.
(4) When Free India Arrived: Revisiting 1st Asian Games 67 Years On - The Quint. https://www.thequint.com/sports/from-independence-in-1947-to-india-hosting-first-asian-games-in-1951.
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