Sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya will hold a review of India’s Asian Games 2026 performance on October 13 or 14. India got 85 medals, but the ministry is unhappy with many experienced athletes who failed to win. Sources said, "A lot needs to change," regarding accountability for the money spent on players.
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, and 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 Rs. 27.16 crore) and performance across nine disciplines involving 34 athletes, mainly in shooting and badminton. It was the youngsters and debutants who saved India's campaign in the last few days. These questions will have to be answered," ministry sources confirmed on Thursday. The review meeting is expected to be held on October 13 or 14.
"A lot needs to change. The problem is not spending; it is the absence of proportionate outcome and any accountability for the money spent, specially on those under TOPS, where the government pays anything that the players demand and bill for," they added, indicating that the Target Olympic Podium Scheme's structure may also be reviewed.
While there were also several firsts through the 20-day competition -- 22 medals across 14 disciplines including golf, MMA and soft tennis -- it is the disappointing showing by some of the biggest Indian sports stars, specially in marquee events like badminton and shooting, that have drawn the ministry's ire.
Badminton was India's biggest hope but the contingent could only manage a men's team bronze. Similarly, shooting had three gold, two of them in team events, down from seven last time around. Athletics too had just one gold - the women's 4x400m relay team.
"The team events performed as per expectations, winning gold in both men and women in kabaddi, hockey and cricket. But otherwise, a lot of experienced players seemed to be content in their comfort zone and unwilling to push themselves. That cannot be accepted," they added.