The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has held a review meeting with all National Sports Federations following India’s fourth-place finish at the 2026 Asian Games. Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya stressed that India must stop relying on individual star athletes and instead build a continuous pipeline of champions across all sports.
Speaking at the conclave on October 15, 2026, Dr Mandaviya emphasised that every federation must take responsibility for identifying, training and developing the next generation of medal winners. He also highlighted the need for sports science support and mental health professionals to help athletes perform under pressure at major international competitions.
Key facts
- India finished fourth at the 2026 Asian Games
- Conclave held on October 15, 2026, with representatives from shooting, athletics, boxing, archery, squash, wushu and other major sports federations
- Review also assessed preparations for Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2030 Asian Games in Doha
- Revised Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) guidelines booklet was inaugurated at the meeting
- Government aims for India to finish top three at 2030 Doha Asian Games
- India is hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games and must aim to beat its 2010 record
What the Minister wants federations to do
Dr Mandaviya argued that India cannot depend on a few celebrated athletes to win medals. He used the example of weightlifter Mirabai Chanu to illustrate the point, saying the country needs to develop many more athletes of her calibre. Each national federation must actively search for talent, provide quality coaching and create conditions where young athletes can develop into champions, he said.
The Minister also called for federations to hire more sports psychologists, sports science experts and mental health trainers. He stressed that athletes often lose focus when competing internationally, and professional mental support can help them perform better under pressure.
Linking schemes and systems
At the meeting, officials discussed how the Khelo India Scheme, which aims to develop sporting talent across the country, can work better with national federations. Vineel Krishna, Joint Secretary (Khelo India), presented this discussion. The Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) guidelines, which set out how the government supports each federation, were also revised and released.
Col. N.S. Johal, CEO of TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme), reviewed India’s performance at the recent Asian Games and discussed preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
What federations must strengthen
Minister of State Raksha Khadse stressed that national federations must ensure their state and district-level branches are also working well. She said talent identification is only the first step. Young athletes must then receive proper training and support to reach their potential. She called for federations to work with commitment on both talent search and athlete development.
Secretary (Sports) Hari Ranjan Rao described India’s sporting system as having four key parts: athletes, coaches, national federations, and the government ministry along with the Sports Authority of India. All four must work together for the system to move forward, he said.
Goals for upcoming competitions
The government has set clear targets for major sporting events ahead. India should aim to finish in the top three at the 2030 Asian Games in Doha, according to the Secretary. For the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which India will host, the Secretary said India must do better than its 2010 performance and finish in the top three. He called this a national challenge that all federations must treat seriously and prepare for from now onwards.
What this means for you
If you are a young athlete in any sport, this policy direction suggests the government is pushing federations to look harder for talent at grassroots levels. Federations are being asked to strengthen district and state-level systems, which may mean more competitions and training opportunities in your area. The focus on mental health support also signals that sports psychology services may become more available to developing athletes.
If you follow Indian sports, expect more emphasis on producing multiple medal winners in each sport rather than depending on one or two famous names. The government is also making it clear that hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a priority, so expect significant investment in athlete preparation for that event.