Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chairs meeting to ensure full support for Indian athletes at Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Asian Games 2026 preparations are under review by the Indian government. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) headquarters in New Delhi. The meeting focused on India’s readiness for the Asian Games 2026, set to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.Senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, SAI, and other stakeholders attended the meeting. They briefed the minister on current progress in training, logistics, and athlete support. Over 700 Indian athletes are expected to take part in more than 40 sports disciplines at the games.
A 15-member committee handles Asian Games 2026 preparation review. The committee includes Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Hari Ranjan Rao, Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha, Asian Games Chef de Mission Sh. Sahdev Yadav, Deputy Chef de Mission Sharath Kamal, and others. This group has held four meetings since December 2025. It oversees planning for training, logistics, athlete welfare, and competition readiness.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya spoke at the meeting about government support. “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 that they can prepare without distractions and deliver their best at the Asian Games. Our aim is not to make them suffer at any cost and ensure they remain focused in increasing our medal tally at the competition.”
The minister stressed coordinated efforts among all stakeholders. He said structured preparation, strong support systems, and timely planning will help India reach new milestones at Asian Games 2026.
Preparations and Support Measures for Asian Games 2026
Several steps are in place for smooth preparations. A Nodal Officer from each National Sports Federation (NSF) handles the AG Technical Handbook. This helps educate players, coaches, and support staff on discipline-specific rules.Teams will be selected early to give athletes time for focused training. Federations can plan exposure tours and competition schedules ahead. Support staff capacity, including medical teams, is being strengthened. Coordination with Indian embassies in Japan will help with logistics.
The games use a five-cluster model with venues spread across areas like Aichi, Gifu, Shizuoka, and the Airport-Expo zone. This requires careful planning for travel, medical support, and recovery. To help athletes adjust, container-style living units will be set up at SAI centres in Patiala and Bengaluru. These mock setups match the expected accommodation during the games.
An IOA delegation visited Japan in January for a four-day recce. They checked venues, facilities, and logistics. Cluster-wise plans now include dedicated logistics officers, medical teams, and support staff for each area.
Other measures include appointing a head medical doctor for the contingent, arranging Indian food options with SAI culinary staff, and delivering official kits early. Discipline-wise performance reviews and support staff training were also discussed.
India aims to better its record of 106 medals from the Hangzhou Asian Games 2022. Strategic planning and full coordination across all parties drive this goal.The next committee meeting is set for March 20. Discussions will cover final contingent size, logistics, travel, and operational readiness as preparations enter the final phase.
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