Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya questions reliance on Mirabai Chanu in India’s Asian Games 2026 review

Sports ministry reviews Asian Games 2026 performance

India’s fourth‑place finish at the Aichi‑Nagoya Asian Games prompted a swift review by the Sports Ministry on Thursday. In a closed‑door session, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya questioned the heavy reliance on a handful of medal winners and pressed National Sports Federations (NSFs) to build a broader, sustainable talent pipeline.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse, Indian Olympic Association President P T Usha, Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, and representatives from the various NSFs. Mandaviya opened with a stark comparison: India collected 85 medals – 21 golds – at the 2026 Games, a noticeable dip from the 106 medals won in Hangzhou in 2022.

"How long will Mirabai Chanu alone keep winning medals for us? We need to produce 10 more Mirabai Chanus," Mandaviya warned, urging federations to identify and nurture talent at the grassroots level. The comment referenced the weight‑lifter’s consistent podium finishes but signalled a broader concern about over‑dependence on individual stars.

In athletics, the gold tally fell from six in Hangzhou to just one in 2026, while the overall haul of 24 medals was five fewer than before. High‑profile injuries were also raised, with hurdler Jyothi Yarraji and triple‑jumper Praveen Chithravel sidelined, and steeplechase champion Avinash Sable missing his 5,000 m start after a disappointing 3,000 m steeplechase finish.

Boxing emerged as a bright spot, delivering an unprecedented three gold medals. The Boxing Federation of India pledged to build on that success, requesting "continued institutional support" to maintain momentum.

Badminton’s men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty exited early, a result the minister partly attributed to a cramped schedule that forced players into multiple matches within 24 hours.

Beyond the immediate review, the discussion turned to long‑term goals. Secretary Rao outlined a target of finishing among the top three at the 2030 Asian Games in Doha. He added that the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which India will host, should see the nation break its own record from the 2010 edition and also aim for a top‑three finish.

Mandaviya underscored the need for enhanced support structures, calling for more sports psychologists, sports‑science experts, and high‑performance mental trainers. He urged every NSF to increase domestic competition opportunities, strengthen preparation programmes, and conduct honest gap analyses.

The meeting concluded with a consensus that India’s sporting future rests on systematic talent identification, robust training ecosystems, and coordinated federation effort – a blueprint aimed at restoring the nation’s historic dominance on the Asian sporting stage.

Key take‑aways

• India’s medal count fell to 85 (21 gold) at the 2026 Asian Games, a drop from 106 total medals in 2022.
• The sports ministry highlighted injuries, over‑reliance on star athletes, and a need for deeper talent pools.
• Boxing delivered three golds; other sports faced setbacks.
• Targets set for 2030 Asian Games (top‑three finish) and 2030 Commonwealth Games.
• Plans include expanding sports‑psychology and science support for athletes.

The ministry’s review signals a proactive shift toward a more resilient, broad‑based sporting framework that can sustain India’s rise on the global stage.