Asian Games 2026: India's Handball and Karate teams set to miss out amid federation disputes

NEW DELHI: India’s handball and karate teams are unlikely to travel to Japan for the upcoming Asian Games, with authorities deciding against sending athletes in the two disciplines because of unresolved governance and administrative issues within their respective federations.Multiple sources who attended a closed-door meeting involving the sports ministry, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Target Olympic Podium Scheme, Target Asian Games Group and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials at the SAI headquarters on Tuesday confirmed to TOI that it was communicated internally that neither handball nor karate would be part of India’s contingent. The decision, however, has not been made official, with SAI advising federations against announcing team selections or publishing athletes’ names.The development is particularly harsh on women handball players, who’ve secured qualification for the Games. The Handball Association of India (HAI) had already submitted the names of eligible players to the IOA and continues to hope for clearance despite its dispute with the rival Handball Federation of India (HFI).Neither body enjoys recognition from the ministry or the IOA, though the international and Asian handball associations recognise only HAI.

TOI has learnt that handball entries were never forwarded to the Games organisers.Karate’s case is equally complicated. Rival bodies and prolonged litigation meant no recognised selection committee could be constituted in time, leaving Indian karatekas off the official entry list. The Delhi high court recently observed that athletes should not suffer due to administrative failures and their performances should be acknowledged in the selection process.