New Delhi: With the intention of boosting India’s medal tally on the 2026 Asian Video games, the Goal Asian Video games Group (TAGG) has been launched with an preliminary pool of 37 athletes.
Bhavani Devi is now a part of Goal Asian Video games Group. (HT Photograph)
A complete of sixteen disciplines have been recognized underneath the brand new programme drawn to offer individualised help to chose athletes for preparation in direction of the Aichi-Nagoya Video games subsequent yr. Workforce occasions like kabaddi and sepaktakraw will likely be supplied group help whereas ‘targeted assistance’ has been deliberate for distinctive athletes.
The TAGG has been modelled on the Goal Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) to offer monetary help to Asiad medal prospects. The 16 disciplines chosen by the Mission Olympic Cell are a cautious mixture of Olympic (10) and non-Olympic sports activities (6), that can serve the dual function of pushing the medal tally on the Asian Video games whereas making ready athletes in main sports activities like biking, fencing and gymnastics the place India doesn’t have any medal to point out on the Olympics.
These sports activities have been earlier a part of the TOPS but it surely hasn’t translated into success on the Olympics degree. A revamped funding construction, with deal with enchancment on the continental degree, might be fruitful. The TOPS core group and improvement record was lower down within the new cycle with deal with real medal contenders on the Los Angeles Olympics.
“A different pathway was needed because in certain sports Indian athletes are good at the Asian level and sometimes, they were being neglected. The federations also wanted assistance specific to Asiad. At the same time in Olympic disciplines it will help prepare for the 2028 LA Olympics,” in line with individuals conscious of the event.
Assist will likely be supplied in direction of worldwide competitors and coaching assigning international coaches, publicity journeys, and gear.
Whereas finalising the standards for number of athletes for TAGG, the MOC additionally famous {that a} multi-pronged strategy is required to help varied sports activities due to the numerous variations within the disciplines. Athletes for 3 disciplines (Ju-Jitsu, Karate and Kurash) that don’t have a recognised NSF are but to be chosen. They are going to be recognized primarily based on choice coverage/suggestion of NSF and evaluation of Excessive Efficiency coaches of TAGG Division.
Among the huge names within the TAGG embrace Bhavani Devi in fencing, Anush Agarwalla and Fouaad Mirza in equestrian. Sumit Nagal is amongst 10 tennis gamers chosen in tennis. Olympians Vishnu Saravanan and Nethra Kumanan have been included for crusing whereas Aditi Ashok, Dikhsa Dagar and Subhankar Sharma are a part of golf.
Each sport has its personal standards starting from performances on the continental occasions to the Olympics. In some sports activities like tennis, kayaking and canoeing, the highest 6 in Asian rankings (maintained for at the very least 3 months) will likely be thought-about.
Whereas 5 occasions (ladies’s vault, males’s ground train males, pommel horse and horizontal bar) have been recognized as focussed occasions in gymnastics, no athletes have been proposed but. Participation on the Olympic Video games, prime 8 place in Asian Video games within the final version, prime 8 place in senior Asian championships and prime 8 in world championships will likely be thought-about for the game.