India Sports Ministry reviews Asian Games performance and corruption claims

The Indian Sports Ministry is launching a thorough review of the nation's performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games following a decline in medal counts. India secured 85 total medals, including 11 gold, falling short of the 106 medals achieved at the previous Hangzhou Games. Officials are specifically scrutinizing 89 experienced athletes who failed to medal, including 34 competitors supported by the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS) despite ₹27.16 crore in preparation expenditure.

The review will also investigate the last-minute withdrawal of nine athletes, primarily in track and field, due to reported injuries.

In a separate development, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is scheduled to meet with para-shooters protesting alleged corruption and manipulation within the selection process for the upcoming Para Asian Games. The athletes have alleged “illicit monetary extortion” and the manipulation of qualifying scores by Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) officials. While the PCI has denied these claims, asserting selection was based on merit, the minister aims to address these institutional grievances.