Sports Ministry insists on sticking to Asian Games selection criteria after 492-member list announced
NEW DELHI, August 24, 2026 — The Sports Ministry said on Monday it will adhere to the established selection guidelines for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya and will not yield to external pressure to approve athletes who do not meet the criteria. The government has cleared a 492-member list for the upcoming edition, a roster that omits the football and handball teams and several former medallists, prompting protests.
Ministry sources acknowledged widespread calls for additional inclusions and said selection will follow the government rules. “There is a lot of pressure from all quarters to include many sportspersons. Many parents call up to say their child deserved a chance but was not selected. But our contention is, if someone merits selection on the basis of the government criteria, he/she will not be ignored but we cannot simply clear names,” they said. They added: “For example, if the Asian timing is 10 seconds to be even a contender in in 100m, how can we send someone clocking 15s?” The criteria require a top-six finish in individual events and a top-eight placing in team sports at the previous edition, with the government holding the final authority.
Tennis has been a focal point of the backlash after the sport’s trimmed squad of seven players, including two women, omitted top-ranked Sahaja Yamalapalli; former doubles specialist Rohan Bopanna publicly questioned that decision. The controversy over the pruned tennis list contributed to wider debate about selections made for Aichi-Nagoya.
Table tennis player Manika Batra criticised her exclusion by the federation, while rider Anush Agarwalla, described in reports as an individual and team medallist in 2023, pursued legal action challenging his omission but was not granted relief by the court. Those cases have been cited in coverage of the selection disputes surrounding the announced contingent.
Separately, the ministry is organising a nationwide programme on August 27 as part of National Sports Day, which is celebrated on August 29 to mark the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand. Leading athletes named to take part include Manika, Deepa Karmakar, Saina Nehwal, Gagan Narang and P.R. Sreejesh, who will share their journeys and experiences with youngsters at more than 1500 locations including IITs, IIMs and other leading educational institutions.
The ministry’s public stance follows the formal clearance of the 492-member team for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, and the scheduled August 27 outreach programme precedes National Sports Day on August 29.