India spends over Rs 53 crore on CWG 2026 preparations ahead of Glasgow Games
The Sports Ministry has spent more than Rs 53 crore on preparing Indian athletes for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with athletics and boxing receiving the largest share of the funding ahead of the multi-sport event, which begins on July 23. While the government expects improved performances from the contingent, India’s overall medal tally is likely to take a hit because of the Games’ reduced schedule.
The Glasgow edition has been significantly scaled down, featuring only 10 able-bodied sports and six para disciplines as organisers sought to cut costs. Several of India’s traditionally strong events, including badminton, shooting, wrestling, hockey and cricket, are absent from the programme, reducing the country’s medal opportunities.
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Athletics has received the biggest investment, with over Rs 20 crore allocated to the preparation of the 32-member squad. Led by two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra, the Indian team will compete in 21 events at the Games. The expenditure covered overseas training camps and exposure trips designed to help athletes adapt to international conditions.
Indian athletes trained at the High Altitude Training Centre in Colorado Springs in the United States and also spent time in Switzerland, Turkey and South Africa as part of their preparations. The focus on foreign training reflects the government’s broader strategy of ensuring that medal contenders are acclimatised well before the start of the competition.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is expected to reach Glasgow later on Monday and will interact with athletes and officials during his stay. India will also formally take over as the host nation for the 2030 Commonwealth Games during the closing ceremony. The Ahmedabad edition is set to return to a full-scale format, with 17 sports included in the programme.
BOXING, WEIGHTLIFTING AMONG INDIA’S STRONGEST MEDAL HOPES
Boxing, another traditional stronghold for India, received more than Rs 10 crore in government support. The 14-member squad, comprising seven men and seven women, includes Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain, who is expected to lead India’s medal charge.
Weightlifting, too, remains one of India’s key medal prospects. Around Rs 7.5 crore has been invested in the preparation of the 12-member team, spearheaded by Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu. The weightlifters have been training in Birmingham in an effort to acclimatise to European weather and time zones before the competition begins.
“We have ensured that all our medal prospects are based in Europe before the Games so that there is no problem in adapting to local conditions and time zones at the time of the Games,” Mandaviya said.
Despite the absence of several medal-rich sports, officials remain optimistic about India’s prospects in the disciplines that are part of the roster.
“We will do better than last time in disciplines that are there on the roster,” said Target Olympic Podium Scheme CEO NS Johal, who also heads the government’s Mission Olympic Cell.
India finished fourth in the medal standings at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, winning 61 medals, including 22 golds, 16 silvers and 23 bronzes.
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