Sports Ministry to Review India’s Asian Games Performance
The Sports Ministry is set to conduct a detailed review of India’s performance at the recently concluded Asian Games, with national sports federations expected to participate in the exercise.
The one-day meeting, scheduled for October 13, will focus on areas where India fell short of expectations, particularly in shooting, badminton and athletics. The government is also expected to reassess the way financial support is provided under the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS).
India finished the Aichi-Nagoya Games with 85 medals, including 21 golds. The tally represented a decline from the 106 medals won at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Experienced Athletes Under Ministry Review
The performance of several established athletes is expected to come under scrutiny during the meeting. A Sports Ministry source said some experienced competitors appeared to be operating below their potential during the Games.
National federations are expected to be part of discussions aimed at identifying the reasons behind the disappointing performances and determining what changes may be required in preparation and athlete support.
Badminton’s campaign has emerged as one area of concern. India managed to secure only a team bronze in the sport, while the performance of the shooting contingent, particularly in pistol events, was also viewed as below expectations.
Injuries and TOPS Funding to Face Scrutiny
The ministry is also expected to examine the issue of injuries reported by athletes after their arrival at the Games. Officials have raised concerns over athletes declaring injuries at the competition venue despite substantial public expenditure on their preparation.
The review could also have implications for the government’s TOPS funding, which provides financial and other assistance to elite athletes preparing for major international competitions.
Before the Asian Games, the Sports Ministry had said that more than Rs 700 crore had been spent on athlete preparation during the three-year cycle leading up to the event.
The October 13 meeting is therefore expected to assess both sporting performances and the effectiveness of the support systems used to prepare India’s athletes for major competitions.
