New Delhi, March 5 (NationPress) The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, presided over a crucial meeting at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) headquarters on Thursday to evaluate the preparations for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, which are set to take place from September 19 to October 4.

More than 700 Indian athletes are anticipated to take part in over 40 sports disciplines at the Games scheduled in Aichi-Nagoya.

In the meeting, Mandaviya reiterated the government’s dedication to athlete welfare and performance, as stated in an official release.

“Our athletes are our utmost priority. We will provide every possible support, including training, sports science, logistics, equipment, nutrition, and medical care, allowing them to prepare without distractions and perform at their best during the Asian Games,” he emphasized.

“Our goal is to prevent any hardships for them and ensure they can concentrate on boosting our medal tally at the competition,” he added.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, SAI, and other stakeholders briefed Mandaviya on the country’s readiness for the event, ensuring that athletes receive comprehensive support to excel at this continental showcase.

A 15-member committee has been established to oversee preparations for the 2026 Asian Games. This committee includes notable figures such as Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports; P.T. Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association; Sahdev Yadav, Asian Games Chef de Mission; and Sharath Kamal, Deputy Chef de Mission, among others. They have convened four times since December 2025 to streamline planning for training, logistics, athlete welfare, and competition readiness.

The next meeting of the committee is set for March 20, where final discussions will take place regarding contingent size, logistics, travel arrangements, and operational readiness as India enters the critical phase of its preparations for this significant sporting event.

During the review, the Union Minister stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among all parties involved, asserting that structured preparation, robust support systems, and timely planning will be essential for India to achieve new heights at the 2026 Asian Games.

As part of the preparations, each National Sports Federation (NSF) has appointed a nodal officer for the Asian Games Technical Handbook to educate their players, coaches, and support staff on discipline-specific technical details, ensuring optimal performance.

Teams will be finalized well ahead of time to provide athletes ample opportunity for concentrated preparation, and efforts are underway to enhance the capacity of support staff, including medical teams, while ensuring smooth coordination with Indian embassies abroad for logistical support, the statement noted.

Federations have the autonomy to organize exposure tours and competition schedules in advance. For disciplines with complex operational planning, support will be arranged across various locations with dedicated support staff assigned to each venue, the statement added.

Special emphasis is also placed on acclimatization, including nutrition and environmental conditions, with measures being considered to simulate competition environments in India before the Games, as per the statement.

The nation aims to exceed the historic 106-medal tally achieved at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2022 through strategic planning, diligent preparation, and united coordination among all stakeholders.

Over 700 Indian athletes are expected to compete in more than 40 sports disciplines at the 2026 Games.

In the meeting led by Mandaviya at SAI, it was noted that the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will adopt a unique five-cluster competition model, requiring athletes to compete across multiple prefectures instead of residing in a single Olympic village-style accommodation.

Venues are distributed across clusters such as Aichi, Gifu, Shizuoka, and the Airport-Expo zone, necessitating meticulous planning for travel, logistics, medical support, and athlete recovery, the statement indicated.

To assist athletes in adjusting to the Games’ accommodation conditions, special makeshift container units will be installed at SAI regional centers in Patiala and Bengaluru, allowing athletes to acclimatize to the container-style living arrangements expected during the Games. Officials believe this measure will facilitate early adaptation and limit distractions during competition.

Mandaviya also reviewed the four-day reconnaissance visit by a delegation from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in January, which assessed key competition venues, athlete facilities, and logistical frameworks in Japan.

Based on the findings, cluster-wise planning is being executed with dedicated logistics officers, medical teams, and support staff allocated to each cluster to ensure seamless operations for Indian athletes, the statement concluded.