CWG 2026: Sports Ministry Approves 191-Strong Indian Contingent, Won't Bear Cost Of IOA EC Members
CWG 2026: Sports Ministry Approves 191-Strong Indian Contingent, Won't Bear Cost Of IOA EC Members Published By, Last Updated: July 10, 2026, 19:39 IST The
CWG 2026: Sports Ministry Approves 191-Strong Indian Contingent, Won't Bear Cost Of IOA EC Members Published By, Last Updated: July 10, 2026, 19:39 IST The Commonwealth Games have been significantly scaled down for the Glasgow edition due to cost considerations and India's medal tally will take a hit. Mansukh Mandaviya speaking during the send-off ceremony for the CWG. (PTI Photo) The Sports Ministry on Friday approved a 191-member Indian contingent for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, which begin on July 23. The contingent comprises 126 athletes and 51 team officials. However, the Ministry made it clear that it would not bear the expenses of officials who are elected members of the Indian Olympic Association’s Executive Committee. The notification also stated that a detailed report on the contingent’s performance, along with action photographs, must be submitted to the Ministry within 30 days of its return to India. India’s 126-member athlete contingent includes 78 men and 48 women. “IOA will ensure that any person, if he/she is holding elected position in EC of IOA, any NSF or any sports body, whose name has been included in the list of team officials, will be treated at no cost to the Government," the Ministry made it clear.
The Ministry has specified that the definition of team officials includes coaches, support staff, medical staff, and contingent officials. Chef de Mission Rohit Rajpal is the only member of the contingent staff who is also a member of the IOA Executive Committee. If the Ministry’s directive is enforced, the cost of his stay in Glasgow will not be covered by the government. The Ministry also reiterated that the Sports Federations must conduct background checks on their respective contingents “in view of the disappearance of some officials/sportspersons in the foreign countries in the past…" According to the approved list, the Neeraj Chopra-headlined athletics squad of 32 athletes, including 10 women, has the largest support staff. The team, led by head coach Radhakrishnan Nair, is followed by boxing, for which an eight-member support group has been approved. The athletics contingent will travel with five coaches, two physiotherapists, one doctor, and two additional medical professionals. The boxing team will also have sports psychologist Maithili Bhuptani as part of its support staff.
Mandakini Chanu is the only woman in the coaching group, which is led by Sweden’s Santiago Nieva. India will field 14 boxers, including seven women, in Glasgow and is expected to deliver a strong performance. The Mirabai Chanu-led 12-member weightlifting team will be accompanied by four coaches and two additional officials, including a physiotherapist. Nihar Ameen and Sandeep Sejwal will manage and coach the five-member swimming delegation. In addition, the Ministry has approved a support staff of 42 for the para-sports contingent, with para athletics receiving the largest allocation of three team officials for its 11 athletes. The Commonwealth Games have been significantly scaled down for the Glasgow edition due to cost considerations. India’s medal tally is expected to be affected by the omission of traditionally high-yielding disciplines such as shooting, hockey, badminton, wrestling, and cricket. The Glasgow Games will feature only 10 able-bodied and six para sports. India will compete in nine able-bodied disciplines and five para disciplines. With PTI Inputs News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Feroz Khan Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent.
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