Archive · 19 Sep 2026
India Targets Aquatics Development and Major Asian Sporting Events
India wants to become stronger in sports, including swimming and other aquatic events.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met Husain Al-Musallam, who leads World Aquatics and the Olympic Council of Asia.
They discussed helping more children and young people participate in aquatic sports.
They also talked about cooperation between Indian sports federations and Asian federations.
India said it is ready to host several Asian-level championships.
India has expressed interest in hosting the 2038 Asian Games.
The country is also targeting the chance to host the 2036 Olympics.
Aquatic sports are important because they offer many Olympic medals.
Aquatic events had 49 medals at the Paris Olympics, while India won six medals overall at the 2024 Games.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam in Nagoya, Japan.
The meeting focused on cooperation, grassroots participation, and nurturing young aquatic-sports talent.
India said it was ready to host various Asian-level championships.
India has submitted an expression of interest to host the 2038 Asian Games.
India is also targeting the opportunity to host the 2036 Olympics.
- Who
- Indian Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam, who is also Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia.
- What
- They discussed developing aquatic sports in India and India’s plans to host major sporting events.
- When
- Saturday, during the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
- Where
- Nagoya, Japan, on the sidelines of the Asian Games.
- Why
- India wants to expand aquatic participation, develop young talent, improve its sporting performance, and pursue major event hosting.
- Meeting participants
- Mansukh Mandaviya and Husain Al-Musallam
- Meeting location
- Nagoya, Japan
- Main focus
- Aquatic-sports development, grassroots participation, young talent, and cooperation between sports federations
- Asian championships
- India expressed readiness to host various Asian-level championships
- 2038 Asian Games
- India has submitted an expression of interest to host the event
- 2036 Olympics
- India is targeting the opportunity to host the Olympics
- Olympic medal comparison
- Aquatic events offered 49 medals at Paris 2024, while India won six medals overall
