NEW DELHI, Oct 9: The Union Sports Ministry is set to review India’s performance at the 2026 Asian Games on October 13, with a focus on the decline in the country’s medal tally, underperformance in traditionally strong disciplines and the effectiveness of financial support extended to elite athletes.
The review will be conducted in consultation with representatives of the National Sports Federations (NSFs). It is expected to examine the reasons behind the shortfall in several events and identify measures to improve India’s preparations for future international competitions.
India finished fourth in the overall medal standings at the Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, winning 85 medals, comprising 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze. Although the country retained the fourth position achieved at the previous edition in Hangzhou in 2022, its overall medal count fell by 21, while the number of gold medals declined by seven.
The results have prompted questions about the consistency of India’s sporting programmes, particularly in disciplines where the country had expected stronger returns. The forthcoming assessment is intended to examine where the campaign fell short and how training, athlete preparation and administrative decisions can be improved.
According to a report published by The Indian Express on October 8, ministry officials indicated that the review would examine the performance of experienced competitors alongside the use of public funds allocated to elite sports. The meeting is expected to assess both the achievements of medal winners and the factors behind disappointing results in several events.
One of the major concerns is the performance of India’s established sporting disciplines. Shooting and athletics did not match their results from the previous Asian Games, while India’s medal count in badminton dropped from three in Hangzhou to one in the 2026 edition.
These results have raised questions about the country’s ability to sustain success across successive international competitions. Strong performances at one event do not automatically guarantee similar outcomes at the next, particularly when athletes face changes in competition, preparation schedules, injuries and the emergence of new challengers.
The ministry is expected to examine these issues in consultation with the relevant federations, coaches and other stakeholders. The objective will be to understand whether the disappointing outcomes resulted from preparation gaps, selection decisions, performance management, injury concerns or other factors.
Archery, however, emerged as a positive area for India. The country secured nine medals in the discipline, including a historic gold in the women’s individual recurve event. The achievement demonstrated the potential for Indian athletes to produce landmark results when preparation and performance come together.
The contrast between archery’s success and the weaker results in some established disciplines is likely to make the review particularly important. It could help officials identify successful practices that may be adapted by other sporting programmes, while also examining the specific challenges faced by underperforming teams.
Another significant issue concerns the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS), the government’s flagship initiative for supporting elite athletes. The programme provides assistance intended to help selected sportspersons prepare for major international competitions.
According to the report, 89 experienced Indian athletes who had previously participated in the Asian Games returned without winning a medal in the 2026 edition. Of these, 34 athletes from nine sporting disciplines were associated with TOPS, with a reported government investment of Rs 27.16 crore in their preparation and support.
The ministry is expected to assess whether the assistance provided under the scheme delivered the intended results and whether changes are required in monitoring, training plans or performance evaluation.
Such an assessment does not necessarily mean that financial support alone determines an athlete’s result. Elite sport involves numerous variables, including the strength of opponents, physical condition, technical execution and the circumstances of individual competitions. However, public investment makes it important to evaluate whether support programmes are helping athletes achieve their potential.
The review may also encourage closer coordination between government officials, sports federations, coaches and athletes. Clear responsibilities, regular performance assessments and timely interventions can help ensure that problems are identified before major competitions rather than after results have been recorded.
Injury management is another area expected to receive attention. Nine athletes were reported to have sustained injuries before or during the Games, raising questions about medical assessments and the process through which competitors were cleared to participate.
Among the cases highlighted in the report were athletes who could not begin or complete their events. In athletics, hurdler Jyothi Yarraji did not start her event, while triple jumper Praveen Chithravel withdrew during the competition. Mixed martial arts competitor Varun Sanyal was declared medically unfit and failed to make weight for his scheduled quarter final bout.
Such cases underline the importance of ensuring that athletes are physically prepared before travelling to major competitions. Medical clearance decisions must take account of an athlete’s condition, the demands of the event and the potential risks associated with competing while injured.
At the same time, decisions about participation can be complex. Athletes may be reluctant to withdraw from an important competition after years of preparation, while federations must balance competitive ambitions with the responsibility to protect their health. A transparent medical assessment process can help ensure that decisions are made on appropriate professional grounds.
The ministry is expected to examine how injured athletes received clearance and whether existing procedures require changes. Better coordination between medical teams, coaches and federations could help reduce avoidable complications and improve readiness for future events.
The results also highlight the importance of preparing younger athletes to compete successfully at the highest level. Emerging competitors reportedly helped India’s campaign during its later stages, providing encouragement despite the overall decline in medals.
Developing new talent remains essential for maintaining long-term success. Young athletes need access to quality coaching, competitive opportunities, sports science, fitness support and reliable infrastructure. They also require time to gain experience against international opponents and learn how to handle the pressure of major events.
Experienced athletes, meanwhile, remain valuable because of their knowledge, consistency and ability to guide younger team members. The challenge for sports administrators is to combine experience with emerging talent while ensuring that selections and support decisions are based on performance, fitness and the requirements of each discipline.
The review could also provide an opportunity to examine the role of national federations in planning training camps, identifying talent and preparing athletes for international conditions. Effective cooperation between federations and the ministry is necessary to translate financial assistance into measurable improvements.
India’s fourth-place finish shows that the country remains among Asia’s leading sporting nations, but the lower medal count indicates that maintaining this position will require sustained work. The next stage will involve identifying practical changes that can strengthen the country’s competitive performance rather than treating the final standings as the sole measure of progress.
The October 13 meeting is therefore expected to serve as an assessment of both results and the systems behind them. Its significance will depend on whether the discussions lead to specific improvements in athlete preparation, funding oversight, medical clearances and accountability.
For Indian sport, the central challenge is to convert the lessons of the 2026 Asian Games into stronger performances at future international events. A detailed review could help officials identify shortcomings, recognise successful programmes and develop a more consistent approach to preparing athletes for competition.