Disclosing a stringent selection criteria for the 2026 Asian Games, which focuses on continental rankings and bars additional coaches and support staff even if it is at no cost to the government, the Sports Ministry said on Wednesday that athletes with "real chance of winning medals" would be the only ones considered for inclusion.
The five-page document uploaded on the ministry's website makes it clear that only those among the top-six in individual and top-eight in team sports at the Asian level would be eligible for nomination from the national federations. The Asian Games will be held in Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4 next year.
"The aim is to ensure that only the athletes who have real chance of winning medal are considered for participation in multidisciplinary sports events," said the ministry, while streamlining the process that has previously been described as haphazard and lacking in clarity.
"If it comes to the notice of the Ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) that the aim is just participation and not aiming for excellence, names of such sportspersons and teams will not be approved after giving proper justification," the ministry said.
"Only those sportspersons, coaches and support staff will be part of the contingent whose names have been cleared at cost to the government and no additional sportspersons, coach and support staff will be included even at no cost to government," it said, addressing an often contentious issue that arises when athletes demand the presence of personal coaches and support staff at their own cost.
The selection criteria would also cover the Commonwealth Games to be held in July-August 2026, Para Asian Games, Asian Indoor Games, Asian Beach Games, Youth Olympics, Asian Youth Games and the Commonwealth Youth Games. Performances of the past 12 months will form the basis of selection.
However, the new policy excludes Olympics and other such international competitions where athlete or team participation is determined by qualification standards set by international federations.
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“The NSF (National Sports Federation) will be eligible to nominate an athlete if the athlete has matched or bettered the 6th-place performance from the last Asian Games at a competition recognised by the international sports federation for that sport, held within the 12 months preceding the upcoming Asian Games," the ministry said.
For events that were not contested at the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, the criteria would be a top-six finish at the Senior Asian Championships of that discipline event "within 12 months preceding the upcoming Asian Games".
The ministry cautioned that if it comes to light that an Asian Championship is being held at "irregular intervals" and the "competition standard is low", it would deem it as an attempt to "circumvent rules".
The tough criteria would make it difficult for the Indian football team to participate as it is currently placed 24th in Asia in FIFA rankings.
The ministry said that in case an Asian Championship features less than six teams, the Indians will have to be in top two to be eligible for Asian Games selection. For continental competitions which feature six to 12 teams, the Indians will have to be inside top four to be eligible for selection.
The ministry stated that the new guidelines have been formulated to lay down a "transparent and equitable framework" The criteria has a relaxation clause authorising the ministry to recommend participants who do not meet the laid down criteria, based on the opinion of sports experts or the Sports Authority of India.
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