₹700 Crore Spent, 89 Athletes Without Medals: India Seeks Answers for Asian Games

India's Sports Ministry will review athlete preparation and funding under the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS) after 89 scheme-supported athletes failed to win medals at the 2026 Asian Games, prompting concerns over performance, injuries and the return on public investment.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will lead a day-long review meeting with national sports federations on October 13. Badminton, shooting and athletics are expected to come under particular scrutiny after India's overall medal tally dropped from 106 at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games to 85 at the Aichi-Nagoya edition.

A ministry source questioned whether some experienced athletes had become too comfortable, while also raising concerns about injuries disclosed during the competition. However, the performances of India's debutants offered encouragement, with the 310 first-time Asian Games participants contributing 41 medals.

Why Is the Sports Ministry Reviewing TOPS Funding?

The review follows concerns that investment in elite athletes has not consistently translated into podium finishes.

According to a ministry source, 89 experienced athletes receiving TOPS support failed to win medals across 23 disciplines. India also failed to defend gold medals in seven disciplines, prompting questions about how financial assistance is allocated and monitored.

"Some experienced athletes were clearly in a comfort zone and it reflected in their performance," the source said.

The source added that funding would be reassessed in disciplines where results had not matched the investment.

Before the Games, the ministry had said more than Rs 700 crore was spent preparing Indian athletes over three years. India sent 501 athletes to the competition.

Which Sports Will Come Under Scrutiny?

Badminton, shooting and athletics are among the disciplines expected to face closer examination during the October 13 review.

Badminton

India secured just one medal in badminton, a bronze in the men's team event.

Defending men's doubles champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty suffered an opening-round defeat, while the overall medal return fell short of expectations.

Shooting

India's pistol shooters struggled to deliver the expected results, with double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker finishing the Games without a medal.

Her result was among the disappointments highlighted in the assessment of India's experienced athletes.

Athletics

India's gold medal tally in athletics dropped from six at Hangzhou in 2023 to just one in 2026.

Hurdler Jyothi Yarraji and triple jumper Praveen Chithravel encountered injuries during the competition, while distance runner Avinash Sable did not start the 5,000m event.

The ministry source questioned the timing of injury disclosures and said the circumstances would be examined alongside the relevant national federations.

"Players were declaring injuries after reaching the Games, how is that fair?" the source said, adding that the issue would be reviewed.

The comments reflect the ministry's stated concerns; they do not establish that every athlete who missed an event was fit to compete or that an injury was avoidable.

What Is TOPS and How Does It Support Athletes?

The Target Olympics Podium Scheme is a government initiative designed to support elite Indian athletes preparing for major international competitions.

Under the scheme, athletes in the core group are entitled to a monthly stipend of Rs 50,000, alongside additional financial assistance for training and injury management.

The latest review will examine whether this support is producing the expected competitive results and whether funding should be reassessed across particular disciplines.

The ministry source stressed that public expenditure must be matched by measurable performance, rather than funding being allocated simply in response to demands.

Why Have India's Asian Games Medallists Raised Concerns?

India finished the 2026 Asian Games with 85 medals, comprising 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze. That was 21 fewer than the country's record 106-medal haul at Hangzhou in 2023.

India's gold medal total also fell, although a strong finish in the final two days helped improve the overall tally. Eleven of the country's 21 gold medals came during that closing period, with archery, hockey, boxing and women's golf contributing to the late surge.

The contrast between the overall decline and the late medal rush is part of the broader performance picture the ministry will assess.

Debutants Offer Hope for India's Sporting Future

While experienced athletes face scrutiny, the performances of India's first-time Asian Games participants emerged as a positive from the campaign.

The 310 debutants collectively contributed 41 medals, suggesting that the next generation is capable of making a significant impact at the continental level.

The ministry source highlighted archer Kumkum Mohod, golfer Pranavi Urs and trap shooter Neeru Dhanda among the encouraging performers.

Kumkum Mohod Leads the Way in Archery

Seventeen-year-old Kumkum Mohod was one of the standout performers, helping India secure nine archery medals, including five gold.

Mohod won gold in the individual and women's team events and added a silver in the mixed team competition. Her individual gold also secured an Olympic quota place for India, according to the report.

The ministry source also praised India's archers for outperforming South Korea, underlining the contribution of emerging athletes to the country's campaign.

What Happens Next After the Asian Games Review?

The October 13 meeting will bring the Sports Ministry and national federations together to examine results, athlete preparation, injuries and the effectiveness of existing funding arrangements.

The central question is whether India's elite sports support system is delivering sufficient returns in disciplines where established athletes failed to reach the podium.

The contrasting performances of experienced competitors and debutants will be important to that discussion. While the results have prompted questions about preparation and accountability, the emerging athletes' medal contribution provides evidence of the potential within India's next generation.

The review could lead to a reassessment of how public money is directed towards elite sport, with the ministry making clear that investment and performance will be examined together.