ASIAN GAMES 2026 | Miffed Sports Ministry to hold review meeting next week
The Indian Sports Ministry has scheduled a review meeting to address the underwhelming performance of athletes at the 2026 Asian Games. Officials are concerned about the lack of return on investment for high-performing athletes and may restructure the Target Olympic Podium Scheme.
Why it matters
The review signals a potential shift in how the Indian government funds and holds sports federations accountable for international performance.
India’s Asian Games campaign was salvaged in the last couple of days but the Sports Ministry has not taken kindly to the below-par show from several disciplines and athletes. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will hold a detailed, day-long review of India’s overall showing next week.
India returned with 85 medals from Aichi-Nagoya including 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze — 21 less than the previous edition — but it’s the number of gold lost that is a matter of concern for the Minister and ministry officials. Sources confirmed that some tough questions will have to be answered by both federations and athletes.
“As per the ministry’s internal assessment, 89 experienced athletes across 23 disciplines disappointed, returning without any medal. There was a significant gap between investment (approx ₹27.16 cr) and performance across nine disciplines involving 34 athletes, mainly in shooting and badminton,” ministry sources confirmed on Thursday.
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