Union Sports Minister Urges National Sports Federations to Elevate India's Athletic Performance

Call for Enhanced Responsibility Among National Sports Federations

New Delhi, October 15: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has urged National Sports Federations (NSFs) to take on a more significant role in improving India's sports performance, especially after the country secured a 4th-place finish at the 2026 Asian Games. During a meeting with various NSF leaders, the Minister emphasized the importance of collaboration to maintain India's sporting excellence.

Mandaviya pointed out that India requires a steady stream of champions instead of depending solely on a few medal winners. He questioned, “How long can Mirabai Chanu continue to bring home medals? We need to cultivate ten more athletes like her. Each federation must take this responsibility seriously. It is crucial to identify talent, provide appropriate training, and foster an environment conducive to athletes reaching their peak potential,” he stated, highlighting the necessity to nurture athletes who can uphold India's medal-winning aspirations across different sporting events.

The NSFs conclave on Thursday served as a platform to review India's performance at the Asian Games 2026 and to discuss preparations for upcoming events, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, the 2030 Commonwealth Games, and the 2030 Asian Games in Doha. Representatives from major NSFs, such as shooting, athletics, boxing, archery, and squash, were present, as noted in a press release from SAI Media.

Mandaviya also stressed the importance of incorporating more sports psychologists, sports science professionals, and high-performance mental trainers to help athletes maintain focus during major international competitions. He encouraged each NSF to organize more competitions, enhance athlete training, and conduct thorough assessments of performance and administrative gaps.

During the conclave, Vineel Krishna, Joint Secretary (Khelo India), discussed the integration of the Khelo India Scheme with NSFs, while Col. N.S. Johal, CEO (TOPS), provided a performance review of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and preparations for the LA Olympics 2028. The updated Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) guidelines booklet was also launched at the event.

Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, urged all federations to align their efforts with the Khelo India Mission's vision. She stated, “Every NSF must ensure that state and district-level federations are operational and effective. This task must be approached with dedication, alongside talent identification. Recognizing talent is just one aspect; athletes also need the right training and support to fulfill their potential,” Khadse emphasized.

She reiterated that NSFs must ensure the effective functioning of state and district-level federations while taking responsibility for talent identification. “Only through collective efforts can we enhance athlete preparation, create better pathways for talent, and boost India's medal count,” she added.

Secretary (Sports) Hari Ranjan Rao expressed that India should aim to rank among the top three at the 2030 Asian Games in Doha, while the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which India will host, should be viewed as a significant national challenge. “We must strive to secure third place at the Asian Games in Doha. For the 2030 Commonwealth Games, we need to surpass our previous record from the 2010 Commonwealth Games and finish in the top three. As hosts, every NSF must take this competition seriously and prepare accordingly. We need to treat this as a challenge and start working towards it now,” he stated.

Earlier, Rao described the sporting ecosystem as a four-wheeled vehicle that can only progress if all components—athletes, coaches, NSFs, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports along with the Sports Authority of India (SAI)—function cohesively.