Games Logo – Asian Games

The inaugural Asian Games were ceremonially opened on March 4, 1951, at the National Stadium in New Delhi, India. The opening ceremony, graced by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the President of India, was a grand spectacle marked by symbolic gestures and vibrant displays of unity and spirit.

As the ceremony commenced, the majestic Purana Qila resonated with the booming salutes of 21 guns, while the flags of the eleven participating nations were hoisted amidst the fanfare of trumpets. A colorful array of 1,100 pigeons and numerous balloons adorned the sky, creating an atmosphere of joy and vivacity around the flag of the Asian Games Federation. Thus began the sports extravaganza that has been bringing together the nations of Asia in a spirit of camaraderie and cooperation.

Reflecting on the history of Asian sports, one finds a resilient spirit striving to flourish amidst various challenges. The roots of regional sports competitions in Asia can be traced back to the early 20th century when the Philippines hosted the Far Eastern Championship Games in 1913. However, these games were eventually discontinued with the dissolution of the Far Eastern Athletic Association. Similarly, India organized the First Western Asiatic Games in 1934, but subsequent events were disrupted by the outbreak of World War II.

It was G.D. Sondhi, a prominent Indian sportsman, and advocate for sports promotion, who proposed the idea of the Asian Games in its modern form. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, wholeheartedly supported the initiative. In 1949, representatives from several Asian countries convened in New Delhi to form the Asian Games Federation, with Afghanistan, Burma, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines as the founding members.

The First Asian Games held in New Delhi from March 4 to 11, 1951, saw the participation of 489 athletes, including 31 women, from eleven nations. Subsequent editions of the Asian Games were hosted by various countries, including Manila, Tokyo, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Tehran.

In anticipation of the IX Asian Games scheduled to be held in New Delhi in 1982, the Indian Post & Telegraphs Department announced plans to issue a series of commemorative stamps. The first set of stamps featured the mascot and logo of the Games, with the Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory in New Delhi, depicted in the logo. This iconic monument symbolized the host city’s cultural heritage and quest for knowledge, while the mascot, a dancing Indian Elephant adorned with the sun symbol of the Games, added a touch of vibrancy and tradition to the event.