New Delhi – On Thursday, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports convened a meeting with representatives of the National Sports Federations (NSFs) to examine India’s performance at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi‑Nagoya. The gathering, chaired by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, focused on the country’s medal haul, athlete injuries and the overall effectiveness of high‑performance programmes.
Medal tally and performance gaps
India finished fourth in the overall medal table at the Aichi‑Nagoya Games, securing a total of 85 medals, including 21 golds. While the final two days produced a surge in gold medals, the overall count fell short of the 106 medals – 85 of them gold – that the nation collected at the previous edition in Hangzhou, China.
Mandaviya highlighted the disparity, questioning why the nation could not sustain the higher numbers recorded in 2019. He urged the NSFs to assume greater responsibility for results and to work in tighter synergy to preserve India’s sporting excellence.
“How long will Mirabai Chanu alone keep winning medals for us? We need to produce 10 more Mirabai Chanus,” the minister said, emphasizing the need for a continuous pipeline of talent rather than reliance on a handful of star athletes.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse, Indian Olympic Association President P. T. Usha, Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao and officials from a range of federations.
Athletics and badminton under the microscope
Among the sports scrutinised, athletics drew particular attention. Injuries to hurdler Jyothi Yarraji and triple jumper Praveen Chithravel were raised by P. T. Usha after Athletics Federation of India (AFI) advisor Adille Sumariwalla presented his performance analysis. While the discussion did not delve deeply into individual cases, the issue of athlete health was flagged as a concern.
Runner Avinash Sable’s fitness was also examined. The defending 3000 m steeplechase champion, who had claimed a silver medal in the 5000 m at Hangzhou, failed to start the 5000 m event in Aichi‑Nagoya after finishing fourth in his primary event. His situation exemplified the broader worries about preparation and injury management.
Overall, athletics saw its gold medal count drop from six in Hangzhou to just one in Aichi‑Nagoya, while the total medal haul fell to 24 – five fewer than the previous Games.
Badminton faced criticism after the men’s team secured only a bronze medal. Defending men’s doubles champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were eliminated in the first round, a result partially attributed to a congested schedule that forced athletes to play multiple matches within a 24‑hour period.
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) was noted for a landmark performance that produced an unprecedented three gold medals. Federation officials pledged to build on this success, provided they receive “continued institutional support.” Internal disputes between BFI President Ajay Singh and Secretary Pramod Kumar, who have suspended each other over alleged violations, were mentioned but not discussed in detail.
Looking ahead: 2028 Olympics and 2030 Games
The review also turned to long‑term planning for upcoming multi‑sport events. Mandaviya called for an expanded cadre of sports psychologists, sports‑science experts and high‑performance mental trainers to help athletes maintain focus on the world stage.
He urged each NSF to increase the frequency of domestic competitions, strengthen preparation programmes and conduct honest assessments of performance gaps and administrative shortcomings.
Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao outlined specific targets for the next decade. India aims to finish among the top three nations at the 2030 Asian Games in Doha. For the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which India will host, the goal is to surpass the nation’s 2010 record and also place within the top three. Rao stressed that every federation must treat these objectives as national challenges and begin preparations immediately.
Beyond the Asian Games, the ministry used the platform to evaluate readiness for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, underscoring the need for sustained investment in athlete development and support structures.
The meeting concluded with a consensus that India must move beyond reliance on isolated star performers and cultivate a broader, more resilient talent pool capable of delivering consistent success across a range of disciplines.
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