While India's 39-medal haul is a commendable achievement, the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow highlighted the risks associated with a volatile and reduced sporting program. The exclusion of sports such as shooting, wrestling, and badminton—disciplines that have historically been the backbone of India's medal tally—creates a distorted view of the nation's true competitive standing. Relying on a smaller, curated list of sports leaves the national medal count vulnerable to the financial and logistical decisions of host nations.
This instability poses a significant challenge for athletes who dedicate years to training for specific events. When a sport is dropped from the program, it disrupts the career trajectories of elite competitors and undermines the long-term planning of national sports federations. For a country like India, which has invested heavily in these specific areas, the sudden removal of these events can lead to a loss of momentum and a potential decline in grassroots interest for those sports.
Moreover, the reliance on a few high-performing disciplines like boxing to carry the overall tally masks the need for a more consistent and comprehensive sporting strategy. If the Commonwealth Games continue to fluctuate in their event offerings, India must be cautious not to over-index on sports that happen to be included in a given year. A sustainable path forward requires a more robust approach that ensures athletes across all disciplines are protected from the whims of changing event schedules and host-city financial constraints.