Archive · 2 Oct 2026
India Hosted the First Asian Games in 1951
India hosted the first Asian Games in 1951.
The event took place in New Delhi from March 4 to March 11.
About 489 athletes from 11 countries participated.
The games included six sports.
These sports were athletics, aquatics, basketball, cycling, football and weightlifting.
Most competitions happened at the National Stadium.
Japan won the most medals, while India finished second and Iran finished third.
The games were organized by the Asian Games Federation.
India hosted the inaugural Asian Games in New Delhi from March 4 to March 11, 1951.
Around 11 countries and 489 athletes participated in the first Asian Games.
The event featured six sports: athletics, aquatics, basketball, cycling, football and weightlifting.
Most competitions were held at the National Stadium, formerly known as the Irwin Amphitheatre.
Japan topped the medal table, followed by India and Iran.
- Who
- Around 489 athletes from 11 countries participated, with India hosting the event.
- What
- The first Asian Games were held.
- When
- March 4 to March 11, 1951.
- Where
- New Delhi, India, mainly at the National Stadium.
- Why
- The event was organized as the inaugural Asian Games under the Asian Games Federation.
- Host country
- India
- Host city
- New Delhi
- Dates
- March 4–11, 1951
- Participating countries
- Around 11
- Participating athletes
- Around 489
- Sports contested
- Six
- Medal-table leaders
- Japan, followed by India and Iran