India’s sporting prowess has taken a significant leap forward at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, with the nation outperforming previous records and garnering praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This shift comes five years after India achieved its best-ever medal haul of 70, including 16 gold medals, at the Asian Games in Jakarta.
In Hangzhou, India has already secured over 80 medals, surpassing their previous achievements with four days of competition remaining. The nation now sits at fourth place on the medal table, trailing only behind the dominant trio of China, Japan, and South Korea. This positive trajectory in Asian Games performance stands in stark contrast to India’s modest showing at the Tokyo Olympics, where they clinched seven medals, including a solitary gold, placing them 48th on the overall medal table.
Indian sports officials attribute this improvement to increased funding and a more targeted approach to sports investment in recent years. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P.T. Usha commended the government’s efforts, stating, “It’s because of our prime minister’s wish that India should become a sporting power, so the government is providing incentives, coaching, and employing foreign coaches in a systematic way. That system started three, four years ago, and we are starting to see the results now.”
The field of Indian athletics, in particular, has made notable strides in Hangzhou, with athletes securing 29 medals, an improvement of nine over their performance in Jakarta. Athletes like Kishore Jena, who won silver in javelin, and the men’s 4x400m relay team’s victory, have contributed to India’s rising profile in track and field events.
Nandan Kamath, a sports lawyer involved in the Indian government’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme, which provides funding to athletes, highlighted the growth and consolidation in disciplines like shooting and athletics. He noted, “These are healthy signs of an emergent Asian sports power, with the emergence of winners and contenders in new disciplines.”
While India acknowledges the sizable gap that exists between them and Asian sports giant China, optimism abounds. Bhupender Singh Bajwa, India’s chef de mission, expressed confidence in India’s ability to chase China in the near future and set ambitious targets for the Paris Olympics, aiming to double their medal haul compared to Tokyo.
Despite the achievements of Indian athletes, sports governance in the nation has faced challenges. Just over a year ago, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) threatened to ban the IOA from the Olympic Games due to governance and election issues. However, IOC Chief Thomas Bach has spoken positively about India’s potential to host the 2036 Olympics, although formal discussions have not yet taken place. With India hosting the next IOC session in Mumbai, the possibility of a 2036 bid is expected to be a prominent topic of discussion following India’s success in Hangzhou.
