India Gets Ready for 2026 Asian Games: Unified Panel Formed to Boost Medal Chances

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In a significant move, the Sports Ministry has set up a 15-member committee to oversee India's preparations for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. This 'unified panel' brings together top officials from the Sports Ministry, Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and other key stakeholders to review and enhance medal prospects. The committee, chaired by Secretary Sports and co-chaired by IOA president PT Usha, will focus on reviewing preparations, identifying critical gaps, and recommending support to achieve medal targets. The panel includes Joint Secretary (Sports) Kunal, IOA CEO Raghuram Iyer, and other notable members like Gagan Narang, Sharath Kamal, and Sahdev Yadav, who has been named the Chef De Mission for the 2026 Asian Games. The committee will hold regular meetings to ensure smooth coordination and strategy implementation. With the 2026 Asian Games just over two years away, the panel will work towards expediting financial support to athletes, managing on-venue logistics, and ensuring medical and anti-doping compliance. Their efforts will also focus on improving India's performance, building on the country's best-ever haul at the 2022 Asian Games, where India won 106 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver, and 40 bronze. India's aim is to improve its performance and build momentum towards hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and the 2036 Olympics. With the unified panel in place, the country is well-positioned to achieve its goals and make a significant impact at the 2026 Asian Games.