India steps up Commonwealth Games preparations with nationwide and overseas training camps
With the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow fast approaching, India’s elite athletes have entered the most crucial phase of their preparations. The Sports Authority of India (SAI), national sports federations and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) have put together an extensive network of domestic and international training camps to ensure competitors arrive in peak condition.
The strategy focuses on giving athletes the best possible coaching, world-class facilities, international exposure and competition-specific preparation. Medal hopefuls across athletics, badminton, boxing, wrestling, weightlifting, gymnastics, table tennis and several other sports are now training under carefully planned programmes.
Overseas camps for elite athletes
Several of India’s biggest stars are sharpening their skills outside the country.
Neeraj Chopra is training in Switzerland, where he is focusing on technical improvements and recovery as he prepares for both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
India’s artistic gymnastics squad has been undergoing an intensive three-week camp in London, allowing gymnasts to adapt to international competition standards before travelling to Glasgow.
These foreign camps are designed to provide exposure to top-class coaching, better infrastructure and quality sparring partners.
Domestic high-performance centres remain busy
Back home, India’s preparation has been equally intensive.
Athletes from multiple disciplines are training at national camps located in centres such as:
Patiala
Bengaluru
Bhubaneswar
Lucknow
Delhi
Pune
Sonipat
These centres provide sports science support, physiotherapy, nutrition guidance, recovery programmes and video analysis, ensuring athletes receive complete performance support.
Federations have also scheduled internal trials and simulation events to help athletes adjust to competition pressure before arriving in Scotland.
Discipline-wise focus
Athletics
Indian track and field athletes continue specialised training for sprint events, middle-distance races, jumps and throws. Javelin star Neeraj Chopra headlines India’s medal hopes, while several young athletes are working on improving qualifying performances.
Wrestling
The national wrestling camps are concentrating on match fitness, tactical awareness and weight management as wrestlers prepare for another strong Commonwealth campaign.
Boxing
Indian boxers are training with international-standard sparring partners while coaches emphasise speed, defence and ring strategy.
Badminton
Singles and doubles players are focusing on match intensity, recovery and tactical sessions against high-quality practice partners.
Weightlifting
Weightlifters are concentrating on strength cycles, technical lifting sessions and competition simulation under close supervision.
Gymnastics
Following the London training camp, India’s gymnasts will head directly to Glasgow with the aim of delivering improved performances on the international stage.
Sports science playing a bigger role
Preparation is no longer limited to physical training.
Most national camps now include:
Sports psychology sessions
Nutrition planning
Physiotherapy and injury prevention
Strength and conditioning
Performance analytics
Recovery monitoring
The objective is to keep athletes healthy while maximising performance during the Games.
Medal ambitions remain high
India heads into Glasgow after consistently improving its performances at recent international multi-sport events. Officials believe the current preparation model—combining domestic high-performance centres with overseas exposure—offers athletes the best opportunity to compete for medals.
With every training session now carrying added importance, the coming weeks will determine whether India’s carefully planned preparations translate into podium finishes when the Commonwealth Games begin.
Key Highlights
India has activated multiple national and international training camps ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Elite athletes are training in countries such as Switzerland and the United Kingdom for specialised preparation.
Domestic high-performance centres are providing sports science, recovery and technical support.
Every major Commonwealth discipline is following a customised preparation programme.
India’s goal is to maximise medal opportunities through scientific training and international exposure.
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