SAI disbands Target Asian Games Group; undergoes structural re-organisation of its divisions

Almost a year after its launch, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has officially disbanded the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) division with immediate effect, The Bridge learnt on Monday.

In a May 19, 2026 undersigned by the SAI Director General (DG) Hari Ranjan Rao, SAI stated: "TOPS, TEAMS and TAGG divisions within SAI are re-arranged with immediate effect."

"All responsibilities assigned to the TAGG division will now be redistributed between the TOPS and Training of Elite Athletes and Management Support (TEAMS) divisions," it further read.

The TAGG, launched last year, was introduced to provide individualised support to selected athletes for preparation towards the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. It began with an initial pool of sixteen disciplines and 37 athletes.

Under the restructuring, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Division will now manage day-to-day operations, development, and coordination for 27 specific disciplines. 

It includes, Aquatics, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Canoeing, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Golf, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Modern Pentathlon, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Squash, Surfing, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Weightlifting, and Wrestling.

It will also oversee overall participation coordination for the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games (CWG), Youth Olympics, Asian Youth Games, and Asian Beach Games.

The letter noted that TOPS will now act as the primary interface between SAI and respective National Sports Federations (NSFs), associations, and stakeholders for assigned sports.

Meanwhile, the TEAMS Division will manage all sports disciplines not handled by the TOPS division, including Para, Winter, and Non-Olympic disciplines. It will focus on disciplines under the PCI, AISCD, SOB, emerging, indigenous, recreational, and traditional sports.

Coordination for the National Sports Awards will also fall under the TEAMS division.