India steps up planning for 2026 Asian Games as Mansukh Mandaviya chairs high level review meeting

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday chaired a high level meeting at the Sports Authority of India headquarters to review India’s preparations for the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4.

Senior officials from the Sports Ministry, SAI and other stakeholders briefed the minister on readiness for the continental event and steps being taken to ensure athletes receive full support ahead of the competition.

Committee monitoring preparations

A 15 member committee formed to oversee preparations for the Games has already held four meetings since December 2025 to streamline planning across training, logistics, athlete welfare and competition readiness.

The committee includes Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, P. T. Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, Chef de Mission Sahdev Yadav and Deputy Chef de Mission Sharath Kamal.

Officials said the panel is overseeing the strategic roadmap for India’s campaign at the Games.

Government assures full support to athletes

Speaking during the meeting, Mandaviya reiterated that the government would ensure complete support to athletes in areas such as training, sports science, logistics, kit supply, food and medical care.

"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," he said.

The minister also stressed the need for coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to help India achieve better results at the Games.

Planning underway for logistics and competition readiness

As part of the preparations, each National Sports Federation will appoint a nodal officer to study the Asian Games technical handbook and brief athletes, coaches and support staff on discipline specific requirements.

Teams will be finalised well in advance so that athletes get enough time for focused preparation. Federations have also been given the freedom to plan exposure tours and competition schedules ahead of the Games.

Officials are also working to strengthen the capacity of support staff, including medical teams, and coordinate with Indian embassies for logistics support abroad.

Special arrangements for accommodation and travel

The 2026 Games will follow a unique cluster based competition model with events spread across several prefectures instead of a single Olympic village.

Competitions will be held across clusters such as Aichi, Gifu, Shizuoka and the Airport Expo zone. Officials said detailed planning is underway for travel, logistics, medical care and athlete recovery across these locations.

To help athletes adjust to accommodation conditions, makeshift container units will be installed at SAI regional centres in Patiala and Bengaluru. The arrangement will allow athletes to familiarise themselves with container style living conditions expected during the Games.

India aims to break Hangzhou medal record

India is targeting a better performance than its record 106 medal haul at the 2022 Asian Games.

More than 700 Indian athletes are expected to compete across over 40 sports disciplines in the upcoming Games.

The next committee meeting is scheduled for March 20, where discussions on contingent size, travel plans and final operational preparations will take place.