‘Asian Games No Exposure Tour’: Mandaviya Caps Contingent at 600, Stresses Performance Over Participation

Last Updated:July 02, 2026, 18:08 IST

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya capped India's Asian Games contingent at 600 athletes, prioritizing top performers. Only those with a realistic medal chance will travel.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday asserted that the Asian Games is not “an exposure tour" and confirmed that the Indian contingent will be capped at 600 athletes to ensure that only top performers travel to Japan for the September 19 to October 4 showpiece.

Interacting with the media, Mandaviya made it clear that “travellers looking to make up the numbers" will not be included in the final contingent for the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

“Let me make one thing clear. The Asian Games is not an exposure tour; it is a platform for athletes to make the country proud with their best performance. So, as I have repeatedly stated, only those who can deliver will travel," he said.

“Exposure can be gained elsewhere. It doesn’t have to be the Asian Games. Anyone looking to secure jobs through participation certificates will not be cleared. The Games are about performance and we will ensure that," he asserted while responding to queries on whether athletes from poorly-performing disciplines should be considered, though he refrained from taking names.

As per the selection criteria unveiled in 2025, the ministry had stated that only those with a “realistic chance of winning a medal" would be considered for multi-sport events, including the Asian Games. The process will involve videographed trials monitored by independent observers.

Additionally, only athletes ranked among the top six in Asia will be eligible. This benchmark effectively rules out the Indian football team, which has slipped in continental rankings.

“We have communicated this to everyone that those NSFs (National Sports Federations) which are recognised by their International Federations, can send their recommendations to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The names will be scrutinised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and eventually approved by the ministry," Mandaviya said.

“We have tried to address the earlier practice of federations acting on a whim," he added.

Hope for Anush Agarwalla?

Among the key selection controversies ahead of the Asian Games is equestrian rider Anush Agarwalla’s legal challenge against his omission. A well-placed source indicated that the Sports Ministry is likely to support his inclusion despite a recent legal setback.

Agarwalla, along with Sudipti Hajela, had challenged the decision of the Equestrian Federation of India’s ad-hoc committee in the Delhi High Court. Their petition was rejected by a single-judge bench, though the matter is currently being heard by a division bench.

The court dismissed their objections related to the calculation of Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs), interpretation of selection criteria, absence of additional trials, and allegations of bias in the selection process.

However, the ministry appears inclined to back Agarwalla’s case.

“His non-selection has been reviewed and the ministry believes he deserves a chance," the source said.

The ministry also clarified that lists released by National Sports Federations after trials are merely recommendatory.

“Such a list does not constitute the final Government-approved Indian contingent," the source said.

“…only those athletes, coaches and support staff whose names are included in the Sanction Order issued by MYAS (Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports) shall be treated as members of the official Indian contingent for the Asian Games," he added.

Another athlete who had raised concerns over her omission was table tennis star Manika Batra. However, she withdrew her threat of legal action, even as she maintained that the federation had violated its own constitution by excluding her due to lack of domestic participation.

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Aakash Biswas

A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I...Read More

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