All posts tagged: Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games

Joshna Chinappa earns record seventh Asian Games berth

Joshna Chinappa earns record seventh Asian Games berth

India has finalised its squash squad for the 2026 Asian Games following the conclusion of selection trials in Chennai, with a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talent set to represent the country in Aichi-Nagoya. The squash competition at the Asian Games will be held from September 19 to October 4, 2026, featuring five medal events: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s team, women’s team, and mixed doubles. Among the notable selections is veteran Joshna Chinappa, who will make her seventh consecutive Asian Games appearance. The experienced Indian star earned her place after topping her group during the selection trials. India’s highest-ranked players secured direct qualification based on their world rankings. Abhay Singh and Veer Chotrani booked their spots in the men’s squad after remaining inside the world’s top 50, while teenage sensation Anahat Singh earned automatic qualification in the women’s category through the same criterion. The remaining positions were decided through the recently concluded trials in Chennai. Velavan Senthilkumar and Suraj Chand emerged as group winners to complete the men’s lineup alongside Abhay and Veer. …

India launches TAGG to fuel Asian Games medal hopes

India launches TAGG to fuel Asian Games medal hopes

The government has introduced the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) — a high-performance programme designed to support medal prospects for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The initiative kicks off with a core group of 37 athletes spanning across 16 disciplines, as per Hindustan Times. Inspired from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), TAGG is tailored specifically for the Asian Games, aiming to bridge the gap between India’s continental promise and Olympic aspirations. The scheme includes a blend of Olympic (10) and non-Olympic (6) sports — a calculated move to maximise medal potential in both traditional and emerging events. Prominent names in the first TAGG list include Bhavani Devi (fencing), Anush Agarwalla and Fouaad Mirza (equestrian), Sumit Nagal (tennis), and Olympians Vishnu Saravanan and Nethra Kumanan (sailing). In golf, Aditi Ashok, Diksha Dagar, and Subhankar Sharma will receive targeted support. While TAGG doesn’t override TOPS, it takes a more focused approach towards sports where India has demonstrated regional potential but has yet to convert that into Olympic success — such as gymnastics, fencing, and …

Separate funding scheme for Asian Games medal prospects not elite enough for Olympic podium

Separate funding scheme for Asian Games medal prospects not elite enough for Olympic podium

To cut the flab from its flagship Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and ensure only genuine medal prospects remain a part of it, the government is set to introduce a two-tier system to fund India’s athletes. And while TOPS will continue to exist, a new Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) is set to be launched to provide financial support to those athletes who might not be considered good enough to medal at the Games but remain strong prospects for the continental mega event, which will next be held in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, in 2026. The restructuring of athletes’ funding has been debated for months after the Paris Olympics within the government as well as the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), a high-powered body that monitors preparations for major multi-discipline competitions. Story continues below this ad A separate scheme for the Asian Games was first proposed before the Paris Olympics but the concept didn’t have many takers. However, after India won only six medals at last year’s Games — one silver and five bronze – the …