2026 Asiad: Ministry Bars Extra Support Staff

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New Delhi – Athletes with“real chance of winning medals” will be the only ones considered for inclusion, stated the Sports Ministry as it unveiled a stringent selection criteria for the 2026 Asian Games, which focusses on continental rankings and bars additional coaches and support staff even at no cost to government.

The five-page document uploaded on the ministry's website on Wednesday makes it clear that only those among the top-six in individual and top-eight in team sports at the Asian level would be eligible for nomination from the national federations.

The Asian Games will be held in Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4 next year.

“The aim is to ensure that the athletes who have real chance of winning medal are only considered for participation in multidisciplinary sports events,” stated the ministry, tightening the process that has been criticised for being haphazard and lacking in clarity in the past.

“If it comes to notice of the Ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) that the aim is just for participation and not aiming for excellence (medal winning), names of such sportspersons and teams will not be approved after giving proper justification,” it stated.

“Only those sportspersons, coaches and support staff will be part of the contingent, whose names have been cleared at cost to the government and no additional sportspersons, coach and support staff will be included even at no cost to government,” it added, addressing an often contentious issue that arises when athletes demand their personal coaches and support staff at personal cost.

The selection criteria would also cover the Commonwealth Games (July-August, 2026), Para Asian Games, Asian Indoor games, Asian Beach Games, Youth Olympics, Asian Youth Games, and the Commonwealth Youth Games. Performances of the past 12 months will form the basis of selection.

However, the new policy excludes the Olympics and other such international competitions where athlete or team participation is determined by qualification standards set by the respective international federations.

“The NSF (National Sports Federation) will be eligible to nominate an athlete if the athlete has matched or bettered the 6th-place performance from the last Asian Games at a competition recognised by the international sports federation for that sport, held within the 12 months preceding the upcoming Asian Games,” it stated.

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