India’s performance at the Asian Games 2026 will be reviewed by the Sports Ministry and National Sports Federations (NSFs) on October 13. The meeting comes after India finished fourth at the Aichi-Nagoya Games with 85 medals, including 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze. India’s total was lower than its record 106-medal haul at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. The review is expected to examine the reasons behind the drop and assess whether the country’s preparation and athlete-support systems delivered the expected results.

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Asian Games 2026: Sports Ministry to Review Asian Games Performance

The meeting will focus on India’s overall campaign and the performance of individual sports. Officials are expected to assess the use of funds provided to athletes through programmes such as the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS). The review will also look at athletes who were expected to challenge for medals but returned without a podium finish. Such assessments could help the ministry and federations identify areas that require changes before future multi-sport events.

India still recorded its second-highest medal tally at the Asian Games 2026, but the gap of 21 medals from the Hangzhou campaign has raised questions about preparation and performance across several disciplines.

Asian Games 2026: Badminton and Shooting Among Key Areas

Badminton is likely to receive attention after India returned from Aichi-Nagoya with only one bronze medal in the sport. The result contrasts with India’s recent performances at major international competitions. Shooting delivered a much stronger return, winning 15 medals, but the discipline could also be reviewed as part of the wider assessment. Athletics was India’s biggest contributor with 24 medals, followed by shooting with 15 and archery with nine. India also secured major gold medals in team sports, including men’s and women’s hockey, cricket and kabaddi.

Asian Games 2026: Injuries and Athlete Support Under Scanner

Athlete injuries are another issue expected to feature during the review. Questions have reportedly been raised over cases where athletes declared injuries after reaching the Games. The ministry is also expected to examine the reported spending on preparation. According to the Times of India report, more than Rs 700 crore was spent during the three-year preparation cycle for the Asian Games. The review could therefore examine whether funding, coaching, medical support, training camps and competition exposure were being provided effectively.

Asian Games 2026: What the Review Means for Indian Sport

The October 13 meeting will give the Sports Ministry and NSFs an opportunity to assess what worked and where India needs to improve. The 85-medal haul remains a significant result, but the fall from the Hangzhou tally provides a clear reason for a detailed review.

Also Read: Asian Games 2026: India Secured Gold in Men’s Hockey

The focus now will be on turning the findings into better preparation, athlete support, and performance at upcoming international competitions. For the Asian Games 2026, numbers are not simply a medal tally; they also provide a measure of how effectively its high-performance system is working.

Editor - Neha

Neha is the Co-Director & Editor at sportselite.in, drawn to the stories that give Sports their energy beyond the scoreboard. She brings clarity, context, and a human perspective to coverage across Elite Sports, from standout performances to shifting team dynamics and memorable contests. At sportselite.in, Neha helps turn complex sporting developments into engaging stories, keeping readers connected to the people and moments behind the action.

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