Indian Sports Ministry to Review Asian Games Performance Amid Concerns Over Accountability

The Indian Sports Ministry has announced a comprehensive review of the nation’s performance at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Despite a late surge in medal tallies, the government has expressed dissatisfaction with the overall results, particularly the decline in gold medal production compared to the previous edition of the Games.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is set to lead a day-long evaluation next week, likely on October 13 or 14, to scrutinize the output of various sporting disciplines. While India secured a total of 85 medals—comprising 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze—the haul fell 21 medals short of the country's performance in the preceding Asian Games, prompting officials to demand greater accountability from both national federations and individual athletes.

Ministry sources emphasized that the primary issue is not the level of funding, but the lack of proportionate returns. Particular scrutiny is expected to be placed on the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which provides extensive financial support to athletes. Officials suggested that the current structure of the scheme may undergo a formal review to ensure that government expenditure is matched by performance and professional accountability.

However, marquee events failed to meet expectations. The badminton contingent, viewed as a major medal prospect, returned with only a men’s team bronze. Shooting also saw a decline, securing three gold medals compared to seven in the previous edition. Athletics similarly struggled, with the women’s 4x400m relay team providing the only gold in that sport. Conversely, the ministry noted that team events, specifically kabaddi, hockey, and cricket, performed as anticipated by securing gold medals. Officials expressed concern that some experienced athletes appeared unwilling to push beyond their comfort zones, a trend the ministry intends to address during the upcoming review process.