India Faces Challenges at 2026 Commonwealth Games Amid Reduced Sports Program

New Delhi, India Jul 22, 2026 ALN: Will reduced CWG programme hit India’s medal hopes?

New Delhi, July 21: India will begin its campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on July 23 with a 125-member contingent, but the country’s hopes of matching its impressive medal hauls from previous editions have been dealt a significant blow after the Games were drastically scaled down, leaving out several sports in which India has traditionally excelled.

For the first time in recent history, the Commonwealth Games will feature only 10 sports instead of the 19 contested at the Birmingham 2022 edition, a move driven largely by financial constraints after Australia’s Victoria state withdrew as host in 2023 because of spiralling costs. This withdrawal not only put the future of the Commonwealth Games in jeopardy but also raised questions about the sustainability of hosting such large-scale sporting events in the current economic climate.

Glasgow, which stepped in at short notice, opted for a compact Games using existing venues and infrastructure, resulting in the exclusion of nine disciplines and substantially reducing India’s medal opportunities. The decision to limit the number of sports reflects a broader trend in international sports where financial viability is increasingly becoming a concern. Many host cities are now reconsidering the feasibility of hosting multi-sport events, which often require substantial investments in infrastructure, security, and logistics.

Despite the trimmed programme, India will still field several of its biggest sporting stars, including Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu, who will spearhead the country’s challenge across athletics and weightlifting. Both athletes have become household names in India, inspiring a new generation of sports enthusiasts and contributing to the growing popularity of athletics in the country.

However, fans will miss the presence of several established names such as PV Sindhu, Manu Bhaker, Harmanpreet Singh, Aman Sehrawat and the Indian hockey teams, as their respective sports are no longer part of the Games. The absence of these athletes not only diminishes the competitive spirit of the Games but also affects the visibility and sponsorship opportunities for these sports in India.

The Glasgow edition will feature athletics, swimming, track cycling, weightlifting, 3×3 basketball, lawn bowls, netball, artistic gymnastics, judo, and boxing, while para events will be conducted in athletics, swimming, track cycling, weightlifting, lawn bowls, and basketball. Missing from the programme are badminton, cricket, hockey, squash, table tennis, triathlon, wrestling, beach volleyball, and rugby sevens. This exclusion of popular sports, particularly wrestling and badminton, is particularly concerning given India’s historical strengths in these areas.

The exclusions are expected to have a major impact on India’s overall medal tally. At the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022, India finished fourth with 61 medals. Nearly half of those — 30 medals — came from sports that have now been removed from the schedule, including wrestling (12), table tennis (7), badminton (6), hockey (2), squash (2), and cricket (1). This significant loss of medal opportunities raises questions about how India will adapt its training and development programs in the lead-up to future competitions.

Furthermore, almost 47 percent of India’s 210-member contingent in Birmingham competed in sports that will not feature in Glasgow. The reduced representation of athletes in various disciplines could lead to a decline in interest and investment in those sports, potentially stunting their growth in the country.

Even among the disciplines that remain, India’s prospects appear less certain than four years ago. Boxing, judo, and weightlifting, which together contributed 20 medals in Birmingham, have witnessed inconsistent performances in recent international competitions, including the Paris Olympics, where several former Commonwealth medallists either failed to qualify or finished below expectations. This inconsistency highlights the need for Indian athletes to focus on improving their international competitiveness and adapting to the evolving nature of their respective sports.

Glasgow’s return as host city comes under extraordinary circumstances. After Victoria’s withdrawal, organisers were left with limited time to prepare a replacement Games. The urgency of the situation has led to a more streamlined approach to organizing the event, which may set a precedent for future Commonwealth Games and other international sporting events. To minimise expenditure, the event will be staged across four existing venues, with athletes and officials staying in hotels rather than a purpose-built Commonwealth Games Village. This cost-saving model is being viewed as a necessary adaptation amid growing concerns over the financial burden of hosting large multi-sport events.

Although India’s medal tally is expected to decline significantly, there remains optimism in athletics, where the country’s fortunes have improved considerably over recent years. Chopra headlines a strong athletics squad, with a possible renewal of his rivalry against Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem emerging as one of the marquee attractions of the Games. Such rivalries not only enhance the competitive spirit but also attract media attention, which can lead to increased sponsorship and support for the athletes involved.

The Commonwealth Games also serve as an important stepping stone for emerging athletes, offering international exposure, government cash awards, and sponsorship opportunities. The absence of sports such as wrestling, table tennis, and badminton is therefore expected to affect not only India’s medal count but also the career progression and financial prospects of many young athletes. This raises concerns about the future of sports development in India, as many athletes rely on the visibility and financial rewards from such competitions to sustain their training and development.

With India scheduled to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, the Glasgow edition assumes added significance as the nation begins preparations for staging the event on home soil. The experiences and lessons learned from Glasgow will be crucial for Indian organizers as they aim to ensure a successful event in 2030. However, for now, Indian supporters may have to temper expectations as the country’s considerably smaller contingent competes in a heavily condensed Commonwealth Games programme, where medal opportunities are fewer than ever before. The implications of these changes could resonate for years to come, influencing not only the immediate outcomes of the Games but also the long-term trajectory of sports in India.