Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026: India Expects Eight Plus Medals in Athletics, Says Anju Bobby George
As the Glasgow Commonwealth Games kick off on Thursday, anticipation is soaring across India's sporting landscape with athletics taking center stage. World Athletics Championship medallist and Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Vice-President Anju Bobby George has expressed supreme confidence in the national contingent, predicting that India will match or surpass its previous tally of eight medals. Backed by elite stars like Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, Sarvesh Kushare, Murali Sreeshankar, and Parul Chaudhary, the Indian track and field team enters the global arena equipped with modern training methodologies and unmatched administrative backing.
Decentralized Training and Government Support Transform Indian Athletics
Highlighting the structural shift in Indian sports during an exclusive Sports Authority of India (SAI) interview, Anju Bobby George noted that current success stems from a decade of sustained collective efforts rather than isolated achievements. Unlike past decades where athletes were bound to rigid national camp systems, modern competitors now enjoy complete autonomy to choose their personal coaches and training environments, frequently utilizing support from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) to train abroad. Through coordinated efforts by the Sports Ministry, SAI, and the AFI, athletes are provided with grassroots talent identification, scientific support, optimal nutrition, and international exposure.
Beyond Neeraj Chopra: Strong Contenders Across Multiple Disciples
While global attention remains heavily glued to the iconic javelin throw rivalry between Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem—which Anju describes as a professional and healthy sporting battle rather than a war—India's medal hopes extend far beyond a single athlete. With Neeraj returning after missing the previous edition due to injury, India fields a formidable lineup including high jumper Sarvesh Kushare and long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, alongside strong medal prospects in the women's category from athletes like Priyanka and Parul Chaudhary. Anju emphasized that India is no longer reliant on just one or two stars, pointing out that Rohit Yadav also bolsters India's prospects of securing multiple podium finishes in the javelin event alone.
Stepping Stone to 2036: Commonwealth Games as an Olympic Rehearsal
Looking past the Glasgow competitions, Anju also shed light on India's long-term sporting roadmap, specifically the ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Emphasizing that major multi-sport events act as vital milestones, she noted that potential plans for Ahmedabad to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games would serve as a crucial rehearsal for the Olympics. Such events accelerate the development of world-class infrastructure and offer Indian athletes invaluable experience in high-pressure major event atmospheres, ensuring the nation is fully prepared on home soil by 2036.
