Asian Games 2026: Officials cancel Japan tour over dismal performance

The Indian contingent’s below-par performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games has prompted Sports Ministry officials, including the Sports Secretary, to cancel their planned visit to Japan.

The Bridge has learnt from reliable sources that Secretary of Sports Hari Ranjan Rao, along with four Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) officials, including Meenu Singh Bisht, Director (Sports) were scheduled to travel to Japan on September 28. They were supposed to stay until the closing ceremony.

“Yes, the Secretary (sports), along with Meenu Singh Bisht, Director (Sports), and some MYAS officials, were to travel to Japan for the Asian Games, but have cancelled the plan after India’s performance in the games so far,” a source revealed.

At the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, India currently stands 11th on the medals tally with 47 medals, including five gold, 21 silver, and as many bronze at the time of going to publication.

In Hangzhou, India had fielded a 655-member contingent and finished fourth overall with a record haul of 106 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver and 40 bronze.

After eight days of competition, Indian athletes had collected 53 medals, including 13 gold, 21 silver and 19 bronze in the 2023 edition.

This time around, the tally after Day 8 was only 37 medals with 4 gold, 16 silver and 17 bronze.

There are indications that there can be a major rejig or major overhaul in the Sports Authority of India after the performance.

“The TOPS officials are worried about their fate given the performance of the athletes. Many are linking it to the merging of TAGG with TOPS,” the source said.

SAI had officially disbanded the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) division with immediate effect in May last year. Under the restructuring, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Division managed the day-to-day operations, development, and coordination for 27 specific disciplines.