Indian sprinter Gurindervir Singh, who holds the national record in the men's 100m, expressed renewed focus and confidence for the upcoming Asian Games after recovering from a hamstring injury that affected his Commonwealth Games performance. He stated he is "completely fit" and performing personal bests in training.
Pakistan's Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem faced criticism after a disappointing ninth-place finish at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
India's weightlifting contingent for the Commonwealth Games has seen its quota reduced from 16 to 11 lifters, leading to the withdrawal of Dilbagh Singh. This reduction is a direct consequence of multiple Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) by Indian lifters during the qualification period, highlighting ongoing doping issues within the sport.
The Union Sports Ministry has committed a grant-in-aid of Rs 2000 crore to the Gujarat Government for hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. This funding, based on 2025 rates and expected to reach Rs 2500 crore by 2030, will be disbursed from the Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) scheme. Ahmedabad won the bid last year to host the centenary edition, which is anticipated to be a grand event featuring 15 to 17 disciplines, unlike the scaled-down Glasgow Games.
India's top 400m runners, including Vishal Thennarasu Kayalvizhi and Jay Kumar, view the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as a more challenging competition than the Asian Games. They believe the higher standard of competition, especially from Australia and England, will serve as an ideal proving ground to improve their performance and achieve personal bests ahead of the continental showpiece.
India's top 400m runners, including Vishal Thennarasu Kayalvizhi and Jay Kumar, view the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as a more challenging competition than the Asian Games. They believe the higher standard of competition, especially from Australia and England, will serve as an ideal proving ground to improve their performance and achieve personal bests ahead of the continental showpiece.
The Ludhiana leg of the Indian Athletics Series on June 13 will serve as a Glasgow Commonwealth Games qualification platform for those who could not make the cut in the Federation Cup due to unfavourable weather.
Six-time world champion and Olympic bronze-medallist M C Mary Kom believes Indian pugilists will secure a 'reasonably good medal haul' at the Commonwealth Games, though gold might be elusive, while expressing less certainty for the Asian Games. She also criticised the Boxing Federation of India's functioning and selection policies.
India's Asian Games medal-winning boxers, including gold medallists Ankush Panghal, Parveen Hooda, and Lovlina Borgohain, received a grand welcome at the New Delhi airport. The team's performance, securing three golds and three bronzes, was lauded by BFI president Ajay Singh and coach Santiago Nieva, highlighting their strong preparation for the upcoming Olympics.
India's national soft tennis federation is pushing for the sport's inclusion in the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, following a historic Asian Games medal. Special Advisor Harshang Khodadhara highlighted India's strong global ranking and its position as the leading Commonwealth nation in soft tennis, expressing confidence in winning gold medals if included.
The Indian hockey teams are reverting to their traditional blue jerseys for the upcoming Asian Games after facing significant criticism for a previous shift to saffron. This decision follows internal discord within Hockey India, with its president, Dilip Tirkey, stating the saffron kit change was not permanent and lacked proper federation approval. The Asian Games are crucial for Olympic qualification.
The national record in the men's 100m race was broken twice within minutes at the National Senior Athletics Federation Competition. Ancy Sojan won the women's long jump with a meet record, and Seema achieved the Commonwealth Games qualification mark in the women's discus throw.
Neeraj Chopra has been included in India's 32-member Commonwealth Games athletics squad, subject to achieving the AFI qualification mark after recovering from a back injury. The Olympic champion is expected to return to competition within days.
India's national record holder in shot put, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, is determined to breach the 22m mark, aiming to elevate the standard for future generations of Indian shot putters, drawing inspiration from Neeraj Chopra's impact on javelin throw. Despite a history of injuries, including a recent calf tear at the Commonwealth Games, Toor is now fit and focused on achieving a hat-trick of gold medals at the upcoming continental event.
Indian boxers, including Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain and Commonwealth Games champions, face challenging draws at the Asian Games.
National record holder Praveen Chithravel and Selva Prabhu have successfully qualified for the men's triple jump final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, finishing second and third respectively in the qualification round.
Almost all of India's Asian Games-bound track and field athletes, including star steeplechaser Avinash Sable and javelin thrower Yashvir Singh, will participate in the Indian Athletics Series Final. This invitational event, featuring a total prize fund of Rs 65 lakh, serves as a crucial tune-up for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, with most of the 77-member squad competing.
Gurindervir Singh failed to live up to expectations at the Commonwealth Games, crashing out of the men's 100m event after his underwhelming timing of 10.39 seconds left him 28th overall in the heats.
Indian boxer Parveen Hooda is set to compete in the Asian Games, aiming to win a medal after her previous bronze was revoked due to a WADA suspension for whereabouts failures. Her comeback journey has been marked by significant challenges, including changing weight categories multiple times, overcoming injuries, and adapting her training to a new division. Hooda is determined to prove herself and achieve a podium finish, viewing it as unfinished business.
Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen faced a surprising defeat at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games trials, coinciding with widespread support among boxers for the reinstatement of the trial-based selection system.
Pakistani boxer Qudratullah has reportedly disappeared from the team hotel in Glasgow following the Commonwealth Games, marking another incident of a Pakistani athlete vanishing during an international event.
Indian steeplechase athlete Avinash Sable details his arduous journey back to fitness after an ACL and meniscus injury in July 2025, which forced him to miss the Commonwealth Games. Despite a challenging recovery period filled with self-doubt, Sable has trained intensely at high-altitude facilities and the SAI Smart Track, expressing strong confidence in retaining his Asian Games 3000m steeplechase gold in 2026. He is set to compete in his first steeplechase event in a year, affirming his readiness for the upcoming continental challenge.
The Indian athletics team for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan has undergone significant changes, with Commonwealth Games medallist Yashvir Singh replacing an injured Neeraj Chopra.
Sakshi Chaudhary overcame a series of setbacks, including a loss at the World Championships and missing out on Asian Championships selection, to secure her place at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games after a strategic shift to the 51kg category.
India's fastest man, Gurindervir Singh, failed to advance in the men's 100m event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Despite holding the national record, his timing of 10.39 seconds placed him 28th overall in the heats, far from his personal best and the qualification mark.
Former Indian boxing coach Mohammed Ali Qamar believes the country's women's boxing squad for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games is one of its best ever, with each of the seven members capable of securing a medal, though he cautioned that draws would be crucial.
Neeraj Chopra will compete in the Asian Games in Japan in September-October in his bid to defend the title.
The Indian athletics team for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan has undergone significant changes. Commonwealth Games medallist Yashvir Singh replaces an injured Neeraj Chopra, while long-distance runner Abhishek Pal has been dropped due to an alleged doping offence. Tejas Shirse is also out due to injury. The final team comprises 77 members, with six new additions. The Athletics Federation of India is aiming for 25-30 medals.
Veteran athletics coach Parveer Singh, who guided athletes like Seema Punia, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, and Annu Rani to international medals, has been named for the prestigious Dronacharya Award. The article details his extensive career spanning over two decades, his role as a coach educator, and his academic contributions to sports coaching.
The National Senior Federation Competition scheduled to be held in Ranchi from May 22 to 25 will serve as the final selection event for the country's track and field athletes for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games starting July 23.
Indian javelin ace Neeraj Chopra is set to renew his rivalry with Sri Lankan star Rumesh Pathirage at the Lausanne Diamond League, with both athletes vying for a spot in the prestigious DL grand finale in Brussels.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) CEO Raghuram Iyer announced that India will send 125-130 athletes to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, participating in eight able-bodied and four para sports. The IOA is also preparing for the Asian Games and is in talks with the IOC for India's 2036 Olympic bid in Ahmedabad, which is also set to host the 2030 CWG. Iyer clarified that the IOA will not interfere in athlete selection matters.
India's first Olympic boxing medallist, Vijender Singh, expresses deep concern over the future of male pugilists, citing a lack of competitions and a selection system he claims promotes 'sycophancy'. He argues that women boxers are currently outperforming men and are brighter medal prospects for the 2028 Olympics. Singh is highly critical of the new grading system, advocating for a return to the traditional trials-based selection process.
Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra finished fourth in the Doha Diamond League with a throw of 85.69m, marking his return from injury. Despite not winning, he successfully breached the qualifying distance for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and has been named in the Indian team.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Selva Prabhu attributes his failure to secure a gold medal in Glasgow to food poisoning, stating that a performance near his personal best would have been sufficient for the top spot. He is now focused on qualifying for the upcoming Asian Games.
Athletics Federation of India's selection committee chairman Adille Sumariwalla has dismissed concerns over Neeraj Chopra's recent silver medal, stating that the "country's greatest athlete" should not be scrutinised for an occasional silver after consistently delivering gold for a decade.
National Games silver medallist K M Deeksha has failed a dope test, according to sources. India maintains top spot in AIU list of currently ineligible athletes.
Indian javelin thrower Rohit Yadav admitted that his 'overconfidence' and attempt to outdo both Sri Lankan gold winner Rumesh Pathirage and compatriot Neeraj Chopra during the Commonwealth Games final led to his seventh-place finish, stating he should have curbed his ambition.
India has announced a calendar of 29 international sporting events over the next two years, aiming to bolster its credentials as a host nation. This strategic move is part of its larger goal to secure bids for the 2036 Olympic Games, the 2030 Commonwealth Games, and the 2038 Asian Games, showcasing its capacity to host large-scale multi-sport spectacles.
Focused on success at the Commonwealth and Asian Games, Animesh Kujur is unconcerned by the fastest-man debate, believing his performances on the biggest stages will speak for themselves.
