Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Blueprint to Make India Sports Powerhouse After 39 Commonwealth Medals
India recently took part in a big sports event called the Commonwealth Games and won 39 medals, finishing fourth.
Some smaller countries, like Australia, England, and Canada, won many more medals even though they have fewer people.
That shows India has lots of people who could become great athletes, but it needs better tools to help them.
A man named Aazaz Khan is working at a sports academy to make this happen.
He believes young athletes need top-class training places and good facilities.
He also wants coaches who really understand the science of sports, not just people who teach physical education.
The academy keeps careful records, or data, about every sport and coach to make sure things are done honestly.
Parents are involved too, because they support children by bringing them to practice every day and helping with diet and injuries.
Khan wants even young children's matches to be treated with the same seriousness as international matches.
His big goal is to help India become a world power in sports, not just in cricket.
India won 39 medals at the Commonwealth Games 2026, finishing fourth on the medal tally.
Canada (63), England (110), and Australia (171) finished ahead of India despite having smaller populations.
Aazaz Khan, Director of Sports at Somaiya Sports Academy, is building a blueprint focusing on infrastructure, facilities, and talent identification.
Khan stressed hiring coaches who understand the science behind sports, not just PE teachers.
The Academy maintains data stations for every coach and sport and involves parents in supporting athletes' daily training and diet.
- Who
- Aazaz Khan, Director of Sports at Somaiya Sports Academy in Mumbai, and the academy's athletes and coaches.
- What
- India won 39 medals at the Commonwealth Games 2026, finishing fourth, and a blueprint is being developed to make India a global sports powerhouse through infrastructure, coaching, data, and parental support.
- When
- After India's recent performance at the Commonwealth Games 2026; development efforts are ongoing.
- Where
- Somaiya Sports Academy at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai; the Commonwealth Games 2026 location is not specified in the article.
- Why
- Despite having a much larger population than Canada, England, and Australia, India won fewer medals, prompting efforts to improve infrastructure, coaching, nutrition, and opportunities for athletes.
Focus on Grassroots Development
Focus on Elite Achievement
Priority of investment
Focus on Grassroots Development
Emphasis should be on mass-level grassroots development, treating even young children's matches with international-level seriousness.
Focus on Elite Achievement
Focus should be on elite performance and winning more medals at major events like the Commonwealth Games.
- India's medal tally
- 39 medals, fourth place
- Countries ahead of India
- Canada (63), England (110), Australia (171)
- Academy
- Somaiya Sports Academy, Mumbai
- Director of Sports
- Aazaz Khan
- Core focus areas
- Infrastructure, facilities, coaches, nutrition, opportunities
- Coaching approach
- Coaches must understand the science behind sports, not just be PE teachers
- Key methods
- Data collection for every coach and sport; parental involvement in athlete support