New Delhi, March 5 (NationPress) On Thursday, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, led a crucial meeting at the headquarters of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to assess India's readiness for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.

During the meeting, senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, SAI, and various stakeholders provided updates on the nation’s preparations, ensuring that athletes will receive comprehensive support to perform at their best during this continental event.

A dedicated 15-member committee has been established to oversee the preparations for the 2026 Asian Games. This committee includes key figures like Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, Sahdev Yadav, Asian Games Chef de Mission, Sharath Kamal, Deputy Chef de Mission, among others, and has convened four times since December 2025 to enhance planning in areas such as training, logistics, athlete welfare, and competition readiness. Their efforts are focused on creating a strategic roadmap for India’s campaign at the Games.

Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the government's unwavering commitment to athlete welfare and performance. He stated, “Our athletes are our utmost priority. We will provide every possible support—from training and sports science to logistics, kit provision, nutritional support, and medical care—so they can focus solely on their preparation and aim to boost our medal tally at the Asian Games.”

The Union Minister also highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts among all stakeholders, asserting that structured preparation, robust support systems, and timely planning are crucial for attaining new achievements at the 2026 Asian Games.

To further preparations, each National Sports Federation (NSF) has appointed a Nodal Officer for the AG Technical Handbook to educate their athletes and coaches on discipline-specific technical details, ensuring optimal performance. Teams will be finalized early to allow athletes ample time for concentrated training. Additionally, efforts are underway to enhance the capabilities of support staff, including medical teams, while ensuring smooth coordination with Indian embassies abroad for logistical support. Federations are encouraged to plan exposure tours and competition schedules ahead of time. For disciplines with more complex operational planning, support will be organized across multiple locations with dedicated staff at each venue. Special focus is being given to acclimatization factors such as dietary and environmental conditions, with plans to simulate competition settings in India prior to the Games.

India’s objective is to surpass the historic 106-medal tally achieved at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2022. Over 700 Indian athletes are projected to compete in more than 40 sports disciplines at the 2026 Games.

During the meeting, it was noted that the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya will follow an innovative five-cluster competition model, requiring athletes to compete across various prefectures instead of residing in a single Olympic-village-style accommodation. This necessitates meticulous planning for travel, logistics, medical support, and athlete recovery.

To aid athletes in adjusting to the accommodation conditions expected at the Games, special makeshift container units will be established at SAI regional centers in Patiala and Bengaluru, allowing athletes to acclimatize to the container-style living arrangements. Officials believe this initiative will help athletes adapt early and minimize distractions during competitions.

The meeting also included a review of the four-day reconnaissance visit by an Indian Olympic Association delegation in January, which assessed key competition venues, athlete facilities, and logistical infrastructure in Japan. Based on these insights, cluster-specific planning is being developed, with dedicated logistics officers, medical teams, and support staff assigned to each cluster to ensure smooth operations for Indian athletes.

Several athlete-centric initiatives were discussed to facilitate seamless preparations in the lead-up to the Games. These initiatives include appointing a chief medical officer for the contingent, finalizing Indian food options for athletes with the assistance of designated SAI culinary staff, and ensuring that athletes receive their official kits promptly. The significance of discipline-specific performance evaluations, early team finalization, and the capacity enhancement of support staff, including medical and recovery teams, was also emphasized.

The next committee meeting is set for March 20, where final discussions regarding contingent size, logistics, travel arrangements, and operational readiness will take place as India gears up for this significant sporting event.