New Delhi [India], March 5 (ANI): Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday chaired a high-level assembly on the Sports Authority of India (SAI) headquarters to assessment India’s preparations for the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4.
Senior officers from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India (SAI), and different stakeholders briefed Dr Mandaviya on the nation’s readiness forward of the occasion, guaranteeing that athletes obtain each potential assist to excel on the continental showpiece.
A 15-member committee constituted for Asian Games 2026 preparation assessment, which incorporates Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, PT Usha, President, Indian Olympic Association, Sahdev Yadav, Asian Games Chef de Mission, Sharath Kamal, Deputy Chef de Mission, and others, have already held 4 conferences since December 2025 to streamline planning throughout coaching, logistics, athlete welfare and competitors readiness. The committee is overseeing the strategic roadmap for India’s marketing campaign on the Games, as per a press launch from Union Sports Ministry.
Speaking throughout the assembly, Mandaviya reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication to athlete welfare and efficiency. ‘Our athletes are our prime precedence. Every potential assist, from coaching and sports activities science to logistics, equipment assist, meals assist and medical care, shall be supplied in order that they’ll put together with out distractions and ship their greatest on the Asian Games. Our purpose is to not make them endure at any price and guarantee they continue to be centered in growing our medal tally on the competitors.’
The Union Minister additionally emphasised the necessity for coordinated efforts amongst all stakeholders, stating that structured preparation, robust assist methods and well timed planning would play a vital function in serving to India obtain new milestones on the 2026 Asian Games.
As a part of the preparations, Nodal Officer has been designated for AG Technical Handbook by every NSF to know and educate respective NSF gamers, coaches and assist employees concerning discipline-wise technical detailing to make sure optimum efficiency on the video games. Teams shall be finalised nicely upfront to permit athletes enough time for centered preparation and efforts are additionally being made to strengthen the capability of assist employees, together with medical groups, whereas guaranteeing seamless coordination with Indian embassies overseas for logistical facilitation. Federations have been given the liberty to plan publicity excursions and competitors schedules upfront. For disciplines the place operational planning is more difficult, assist shall be organised throughout a number of places with devoted assist employees deployed at every venue. Special consideration can be being paid to acclimatisation points similar to meals and environmental circumstances, with measures being explored to simulate competitors environments in India forward of the Games.
The nation’s goal is to surpass the historic 106-medal haul achieved on the Hangzhou Asian Games 2022, with strategic planning, devoted preparation, and unified coordination throughout all stakeholders. Over 700 Indian athletes are anticipated to compete throughout 40-plus sports activities self-discipline on the 2026 video games.
During the assembly this morning, it was highlighted that the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games follows a novel five-cluster competitors mannequin, with athletes competing throughout a number of prefectures slightly than staying in a single Olympic-village model lodging. Venues are unfold throughout clusters similar to Aichi, Gifu, Shizuoka and the Airport-Expo zone, requiring detailed planning for journey, logistics, medical assist and athlete restoration.
To assist athletes alter to the Games’ lodging circumstances, particular makeshift container models shall be put in at SAI regional centres in Patiala and Bengaluru, permitting athletes to familiarise themselves with the container-style dwelling preparations anticipated throughout the Games. Officials stated the measure will assist athletes adapt early and keep away from distractions throughout competitors.
The assembly additionally reviewed the four-day recce go to by an Indian Olympic Association (IOA) delegation in January, which inspected key competitors venues, athlete amenities and logistics infrastructure in Japan. Based on the findings, cluster-wise planning is being carried out with devoted logistics officers, medical groups and assist employees assigned to every cluster to make sure seamless operations for Indian athletes.
Several athlete-focused measures have been mentioned to make sure easy preparation within the months main as much as the Games. These embody appointing a head medical physician for the contingent, finalising Indian meals choices for athletes with the assistance of designated SAI culinary employees, and guaranteeing athletes obtain their official kits nicely upfront. The significance of discipline-wise efficiency opinions, early group finalisation and capability constructing of assist employees, together with medical and restoration groups, have been additionally mentioned.
The subsequent committee assembly is scheduled for March 20, the place last discussions on contingent measurement, logistics, journey preparations and operational readiness shall be taken up as India strikes into the decisive part of its preparations for the continental sporting spectacle. (ANI)