India has begun laying out an ambitious roadmap for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games, with the clear objective of surpassing its historic medal tally from the previous edition.
With preparations gaining momentum, a high-level review meeting chaired by Mansukh Mandaviya recently evaluated India’s readiness for the continental showpiece scheduled to be held in Japan later this year. The meeting, attended by officials from the Sports Authority of India and other key stakeholders, focused on strengthening India’s high-performance ecosystem to ensure athletes receive the best possible support ahead of the Games.
The overarching goal is clear: to surpass the country’s previous medal tally of 106 medals and further cement India’s position among Asia’s leading sporting nations.
Building on Hangzhou Success
India’s preparations for the 2026 Asian Games are heavily influenced by the success achieved at the previous edition in 2022 Asian Games, which were held in Hangzhou in 2023 after a one-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At Hangzhou, India produced its best-ever performance at the Asian Games, finishing with 107 medals including 28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze. The achievement marked a significant milestone in India’s sporting history and raised expectations for future editions.
The scale of India’s participation in Hangzhou was also notable. The country fielded 655 athletes across 40 disciplines, demonstrating the growing depth and breadth of its sporting talent pool. Athletics formed one of the largest contingents, with 68 athletes representing India in track and field events.
The success at Hangzhou is now being used as a benchmark for the upcoming campaign in Japan.
India’s Asian Games participation has steadily expanded over the past decade, reflecting the country’s growing investment in sports infrastructure, training programmes, and athlete development.
At the 2018 Asian Games, India sent a contingent of 570 athletes competing across 36 disciplines. The team returned home with 70 medals, including 16 gold. Five years later, the Hangzhou Games witnessed a significant jump in both participation and medal count. With 655 athletes in 40 events, India’s contingent became one of the largest in its Asian Games history.
For the 2026 edition in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture, officials expect the contingent size to grow even further. Estimates suggest India could send more than 700 athletes across over 40 disciplines, reflecting the expansion of competitive sports programmes and improved qualification standards.
Strategic Planning at the Highest Level
Recognising the growing expectations from Indian sport, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has adopted a comprehensive strategy to prepare athletes for the Asian Games. During the recent review meeting, Mandaviya emphasised the importance of coordinated planning across all stakeholders, including national federations, sports scientists, coaches, and administrators.
The focus areas discussed during the meeting included:
- Athlete preparation and training schedules
- Sports science and medical support
- International exposure and competition opportunities
- Logistical planning for the Games
- Performance monitoring across disciplines
Officials highlighted that effective coordination between these elements is critical to maximising India’s medal prospects.
The review also examined India’s performance trajectory over the past two Asian Games cycles and identified key areas where additional improvements could deliver more podium finishes.
Shift Toward a Medal-First Approach
India’s preparation strategy for the 2026 Asian Games reflects a clear shift in philosophy. Rather than focusing solely on participation, the government is prioritising medal potential and competitive excellence. To achieve this, stricter selection benchmarks are being implemented across disciplines. Athletes are expected to meet high performance standards to qualify for the Games, ensuring that those representing the country have realistic chances of competing for medals.
Performance analysis from the Hangzhou Games has helped identify disciplines where India holds strong medal prospects, such as athletics, shooting, wrestling, boxing, archery & badminton
These sports collectively contributed a large share of India’s medals in the previous edition and are expected to remain central to the country’s medal push in 2026.
Strengthening the High-Performance Ecosystem
A major part of India’s strategy involves strengthening the support systems around athletes.
The Sports Authority of India has been tasked with ensuring that athletes receive comprehensive support in areas such as:
- Sports science and recovery
- Injury prevention and rehabilitation
- Nutrition planning
- Psychological preparation
- International training exposure
Specialised training camps and foreign competitions are also being planned to help athletes gain valuable experience against top Asian rivals before the Games. Officials believe that such measures will help Indian athletes maintain peak performance during the demanding multi-sport competition.
The 2026 Asian Games will present a unique logistical challenge for participating nations. Unlike previous editions, the Games will follow a decentralised venue model, with competitions spread across multiple locations in Japan. Athlete accommodation will also be unconventional. Instead of a traditional Games Village, many participants will stay on a docked cruise ship at Nagoya Port, while others will be housed in modular container accommodations.
Indian officials have already conducted reconnaissance visits to inspect venues, athlete facilities, and transport arrangements. These visits aim to ensure that Indian athletes are fully prepared for the conditions they will encounter during the Games.
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With just months remaining before the Asian Games begin, India’s preparation phase is entering a crucial stage. The government’s target of surpassing the 106-medal mark represents both an opportunity and a challenge. Achieving that milestone would further strengthen India’s emergence as a major sporting force in Asia.
The roadmap outlined by Mandaviya and the Sports Authority of India reflects a more structured and performance-driven approach than ever before. If the planning translates effectively onto the field of play, the 2026 Asian Games could mark another historic chapter for Indian sport.
