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Asian Games 2026 review: Mandaviya tells federations India needs ’10 more Mirabai Chanus’

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Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya used an Asian Games 2026 review meeting in New Delhi on 15 October 2026 to tell National Sports Federations (NSFs) that India cannot keep depending on a handful of medal winners. India finished fourth at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, and the ministry wants federations to take more responsibility for results.

Asian Games 2026: Mansukh Mandaviya speaks at the NSF conclave reviewing India's Asian Games show
Mansukh Mandaviya speaks at the NSF conclave reviewing India's Asian Games show Photo: PIB (Government of India, free to use with credit).

What Mandaviya told the National Sports Federations

‘How long will Mirabai Chanu alone keep winning medals for us? We need to produce 10 more Mirabai Chanus,’ Mandaviya said, according to the sports ministry’s release. He asked every federation to identify talent, give it the right training and build an environment in which athletes can reach the top. He also called for more sports psychologists, sports science experts and mental trainers to help athletes keep their focus at big events. Federations were asked to hold more competitions and to make an honest assessment of gaps in performance and administration. The Times of India and NDTV said athletics, shooting and badminton faced the toughest questions.

Key Facts

  • Review meeting: New Delhi, 15 Oct 2026
  • India’s finish: 4th, with 85 medals including 21 gold
  • Hangzhou 2023 haul: 106 medals
  • Next targets: LA 2028, CWG 2030 (India hosts), Asian Games 2030 in Doha
  • Doha goal set by Sports Secretary: top three

“How long will Mirabai Chanu alone keep winning medals for us? We need to produce 10 more Mirabai Chanus.”

— Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Sports Minister

How India did at the Asian Games 2026

The Times of India reported that India won 85 medals, including 21 golds, well below the 106 medals won at Hangzhou in 2023. Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won silver in Aichi-Nagoya, NDTV reported. Both papers said the meeting looked at injured athletes who travelled to the Games, an issue that Indian Olympic Association president P T Usha raised. The Times of India said questions were asked about the fitness of hurdler Jyothi Yarraji, triple jumper Praveen Chithravel and distance runner Avinash Sable. NDTV quoted an official present at the meeting as saying there was no shortage of money and federations ‘can no longer complain about financial support’. TOPS chief executive Col N S Johal presented a review of the Games and of preparations for the Los Angeles Olympics.

Officials at the National Sports Federations conclave in New Delhi
Officials at the National Sports Federations conclave in New Delhi Photo: PIB (Government of India, free to use with credit).

Targets for LA 2028 Olympics, Doha 2030 and the Commonwealth Games

The conclave also planned for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2030 Asian Games in Doha. Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao said India must aim to finish in the top three in Doha. He said that at the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which India is scheduled to host, the country must beat its own record from 2010 and finish among the top three. Minister of State Raksha Khadse asked federations to make sure their state and district bodies work properly. A revised booklet of guidelines for assistance to National Sports Federations was released at the meeting. Rao compared the sports system to a four-tyre vehicle that moves only when athletes, coaches, federations and the ministry, along with the Sports Authority of India, work together. Joint Secretary Vineel Krishna spoke on linking the Khelo India scheme with the federations.

Why It Matters: The review sets the tone for how federations will be funded and judged before the 2028 Olympics and the 2030 Commonwealth Games that India will host.

Also on TrendDesh: Asian Para Games 2026: SAI Gandhinagar sends off para powerlifters Jhandu Kumar, Seema Rani and team · Services athletes Asian Games haul: Rajnath Singh honours record 27-medal tally

Source: PIB (Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports) · The Times of India · NDTV Sports · The Hindu

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