Seven para-cyclists, recommended by the national federation for the Asian Para Games, were largely omitted by the Sports Ministry, with only one receiving approval. The excluded athletes are planning a protest, alleging discrimination, while the Sports Authority of India (SAI) maintains selections were based strictly on performance criteria.
Satwik-Chirag face a 10-day Asian Games grind as the defending champions focus on fitness, injury prevention and workload management.
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.
Forty-four years after their 1982 triumph, India face China for Asian Games women's hockey gold, with Olympic qualification for LA 2028 also at stake.
India's foreign trap shooting coach, Peter Wilson, has voiced his disappointment over the exclusion of World Championship bronze medallist Zorawar Singh from the Asian Games squad. Wilson highlighted Zorawar's calibre and the "great shame" of his omission, attributing it largely to the National Rifle Association of India's (NRAI) selection policy which prioritises domestic trials over international results. He also addressed the Indian shotgun team's recent poor World Cup performances and discussed the need for systemic changes to improve access to shotgun shooting in India.
Indian long-distance runner Gulveer Singh has secured a silver medal in the men's 10,000m event at the Asian Games, clocking 28:29.38 minutes. This achievement marks an upgrade from his previous bronze and adds to his growing list of international accolades, including medals at the Commonwealth Games and multiple national records.
Indian compound archer Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru clinched the men's individual bronze medal at the Asian Games, defeating Vietnam's Cong Duc Dang. This follows his gold medal win with the men's team. Thirumuru expressed pride in securing India's first individual compound medal at the event and reflected on his performance and future aspirations.
Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda secured back-to-back gold medals at the Asian Games, triumphing in the women's trap and mixed team events despite battling fatigue, illness, and challenging weather conditions. Her remarkable resilience and focus, coupled with a women's team silver, made her a standout performer for India.
A senior coach from India's shooting contingent for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games has voiced disappointment over the logistical arrangements, particularly the long travel times to the training venue.
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.
Suchika Tariyal, a 36-year-old Indian athlete, has secured India's first medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games by reaching the semifinals of the women's Traditional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) 60kg event. Her journey began at age 12, driven by a desire for self-defence, leading her through successful careers in judo and jiu-jitsu before transitioning to MMA. She aims to convert her assured bronze into a gold medal.
A 20-member Indian fencing squad, led by Olympian C A Bhavani Devi, has departed for Japan to participate in the Asian Games.
Asian Games double gold medallist Parul Chaudhary and Olympian race-walker Priyanka Goswami are intensely preparing for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan. Chaudhary will compete in three events, including the new 1500m, while Goswami transitions to the marathon race walk, both expressing confidence in their adaptive training and aiming for medals.
Indian gymnast Pranati Nayak, the sole representative from India, is set to compete in her fourth Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, aiming for her first medal.
Indian shooter Aishwary Pratap Singh Chauhan's quest for an individual medal at the Asian Games was hampered by a malfunctioning match button during the 50m rifle 3-position final. The technical glitch disrupted his concentration and cost him crucial points in the prone series, leading to a fifth-place finish despite being a strong medal contender.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya addressed the Indian contingent for the upcoming Asian Games, urging them to perform under pressure and continue the nation's impressive medal growth. He highlighted India's significant increase in medal tally from 2014 to 2023, attributing it to an improved sports ecosystem, and expressed confidence in the 503-member squad's potential.
Indian badminton doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, world No. 5, suffered a surprising first-round exit at the Asian Games, losing to Thailand's Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and Peeratchai Sukphun. The duo cited a demanding schedule, lack of recovery, and mental struggles as factors, while also acknowledging their opponents' strong performance.
Indian men's hockey coach Craig Fulton discusses the team's recent successes, including defending the Asian Games gold and securing direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He surprisingly rates the Paris Olympics bronze medal as his most satisfying achievement, highlighting the team's strategic planning and resilience. Fulton also outlines the team's future transition plans, focusing on upcoming tournaments and developing new talent for LA 2028.
If India's medal tally ultimately falls significantly short of Hangzhou, the conversation should not stop with the athletes or coaches. It should extend to a much more uncomfortable institutional question: After years of increased investment, programmes, infrastructure and policy attention, where exactly is the system failing to convert that investment into medals, champions and depth across sports? asks Jaydeep Ray.
Defending champions India's women's cricket team is set to face Bangladesh in the Asian Games semifinal. With a dominant head-to-head record, India aims to continue their winning streak, while Bangladesh will rely on their spinners to challenge the strong Indian batting lineup for a spot in the final.
'We didn't complain, we didn't give any reason,' said Shreyas Iyer after India overcame a disrupted build-up to beat Pakistan and win Asian Games gold.
The Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati is hosting the Nepal boxing team for a high-performance training camp. This camp, running until September 15, provides Nepalese athletes access to India's elite sporting facilities and coaching ahead of the Asian Games, fostering stronger ties between the two nations.
Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu voiced strong displeasure regarding the "not really well organised" badminton scheduling at the Asian Games, citing three matches in 24 hours and insufficient recovery time.
Olympic silver medallist Vijay Kumar has urged the 30-member Indian shooting contingent for the Asian Games to prioritise individual medals over team events. He also highlighted the need for significant improvements in coaching, advocating for more former international medallists in the system, and stressed the importance of better grassroots talent identification, drawing comparisons with China. Kumar also commented on the void left by coach Jaspal Rana's death and questioned recent selection policies.
Indian women's hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne discusses the team's preparations and strategy for the upcoming Asian Games. He highlights the different challenge posed by lower-ranked opponents compared to the World Cup, emphasising the need for effective scoring and maintaining focus. Marijne also stresses using the World Cup disappointment as motivation for gold and the importance of humility and unity within the team.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi awarded shooter Elavenil Valarivan Rs 1.33 crore under the Khel Pratibha Puraskar Yojana for her two silver medals at the Asian Games 2026. The state government highlighted its commitment to nurturing sporting talent through various schemes and acknowledged the role of parents in athletes' success. Valarivan, an Arjuna Award recipient, has been associated with the Shaktidoot Scheme since 2017-18 and has represented India at multiple Olympics and won gold at the ISSF World Cup.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and a state delegation have been invited by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to witness the semi-finals and finals of the Asian Games hockey competitions in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This invitation is significant as Punjab is set to host the men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026, with the experience gained in Japan expected to aid in organising future international sporting events in the state.
Indian esports athletes are rigorously training for the Asian Games in Nagoya, aiming for medals and challenging the traditional perception of gaming as merely a leisure activity. With professional support and coaching, players are balancing academics and intense practice, hoping to elevate esports to mainstream sporting status in India.
India's men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed confidence in his team's ability to overcome World Cup disappointment and secure the Asian Games title, stating, "We always dominate in Asia."
Indian long jumper M Sreeshankar secured a silver medal at the Asian Games despite an injury during his fourth attempt. He expressed confidence that this fourth career silver would lead to a major gold, specifically targeting the 2028 Olympics. Sreeshankar highlighted the challenging weather conditions and the close competition, acknowledging luck played a role in his medal win.
Neeru Dhanda and Kynan Chenai secured a historic mixed team trap shooting gold at the Asian Games, making Dhanda the most successful Indian athlete with three medals. Dhanda, who also won individual gold and team silver, overcame illness and fatigue, while Chenai provided crucial stability, using his father's lucky gun barrel.
The Asian Games, a major multi-sport event, has a long history of controversies extending beyond the sporting arena. From diplomatic disputes and selection rows to doping scandals and disputed decisions, these incidents have often highlighted the intersection of politics, national interests, and sports.
Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda secured a historic gold medal in the women's trap event at the Asian Games, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve this feat. Her victory came despite a severe illness that hospitalised her just 10 days before the competition, and challenging weather conditions during the final. Coach Peter Wilson praised her dedication and focus, highlighting her ability to overcome adversity.
Indian men's hockey coach Craig Fulton discusses the team's preparations for the Asian Games, aiming to defend their title and secure direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
India's highly anticipated women's 10m air pistol team, featuring Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh, and Suruchi Inder Singh, failed to secure a medal at the Asian Games, with only Bhaker reaching the individual final and finishing fifth. Despite this setback, India managed to win two bronze medals in the men's and women's skeet events, bringing the total shooting tally to seven. The performance has raised questions about India's shooting selection policies and preparation, especially given the contrast with previous Games. Manu Bhaker also spoke about personal challenges, including the recent death of her coach.
Pakistan volleyball captain Murad Jehan expressed frustration over logistical mismanagement at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after his team was taken to the wrong venue, leaving them short on warm-up time and forcing players to change on the bus.
A small contingent of the 74-member Indian athletics team is still awaiting visa clearance for Japan, potentially impacting their acclimatisation camp ahead of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. AFI officials are working to resolve the issue, which stems from VFS requirements regarding application locations.
Li Wenwen secured +86kg Asian Games gold with 310kg and two Games records, then revealed her unusual floor-sleeping routine remains unchanged as she targets future Olympic success.
India's Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra discusses the emotional and physical challenges of missing the Asian Games due to a ligament injury. He shares his process of accepting the setback, focusing on rehabilitation, and preparing for future competitions, while also offering advice to fellow athletes and aspiring javelin throwers.
Defending champions India, after two dominant wins, are set to face a significant challenge against South Korea in their third Pool A match at the Asian Games. The team aims to secure a gold medal to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, overcoming recent World Cup disappointment. Despite strong offensive performances, concerns remain regarding penalty corner conversions and defensive solidity as they prepare for tougher opponents.
