New Delhi | March 5,2026 | SKY LINK TIMES
Asian Games 2026:
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday chaired a high-level review meeting at the headquarters of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to assess India’s preparations for the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, SAI, and other stakeholders briefed the minister on readiness measures to ensure Indian athletes receive comprehensive support ahead of the continental showpiece.
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15-Member Committee Driving Preparations
A 15-member committee formed to streamline India’s campaign has already held four meetings since December 2025. The panel includes P. T. Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association; Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports; Sahdev Yadav, Asian Games Chef de Mission; and Sharath Kamal, Deputy Chef de Mission, among others.
The committee is overseeing training strategies, logistics planning, athlete welfare, competition exposure, and overall performance readiness.
“Athletes Are Our Top Priority”
Addressing the meeting, Mandaviya reaffirmed the government’s commitment to athlete welfare.
“Our athletes are our top priority. Every possible support, from training and sports science to logistics, kit support, food support and medical care, will be provided so they can prepare without distractions and deliver their best at the Asian Games,” he said.
He stressed that coordinated efforts, structured preparation, and timely planning would be crucial to achieving new milestones at the Games.
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Unique Five-Cluster Competition Model
Officials highlighted that the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will follow a unique five-cluster competition model. Instead of a single Olympic Village-style accommodation, events will be spread across multiple prefectures including Aichi, Gifu, Shizuoka, and the Airport-Expo zone.
This model requires detailed logistical planning for travel, accommodation, medical support, and athlete recovery.
To help athletes adapt, makeshift container-style accommodation units will be installed at SAI regional centres in Patiala and Bengaluru. This initiative aims to familiarise athletes with expected living conditions and minimise distractions during competition.
Strategic Medal Target
India aims to surpass its historic 106-medal haul achieved at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. More than 700 Indian athletes are expected to compete across over 40 sports disciplines in 2026.
National Sports Federations have been given flexibility to plan exposure tours and competition schedules in advance. Nodal officers have also been designated to study and disseminate discipline-specific technical handbooks to athletes and coaches.
Special emphasis is being placed on acclimatisation, including food and environmental conditions, with simulations planned within India to replicate competition scenarios.
With structured planning and enhanced support systems, India is gearing up for a strong and potentially record-breaking performance in Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
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