Hari Ranjan Rao, the Sports Secretary, has pulled out of the planned Aichi‑Nagoya trip, saying the BRICS showcase on Oct 12‑13 is the real priority.
The decision struck a chord in Delhi, but sources say it was never about India’s “underwhelming” performance in Japan. Instead, Rao wants to be on the ground as the BRICS Games— a non‑competitive festival of traditional sports— kicks off in Ahmedabad.
Around 2,000 athletes, officials and cultural delegates from China, Russia, Iran, Bolivia, and six other BRICS nations will converge for two days. The event is a showcase of indigenous games, a pre‑test run that could help India polish its image as a sporting nation ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and the 2036 Olympic bid.
The ministry’s austerity drive has kept its contingent lean; only top brass like Rao and TOPS CEO Col. N.S. Johal will travel to Japan for the Asian Games. But the BRICS Games demand on‑site scrutiny, especially with the deadline for the closing ceremony on Oct 4.
Rao’s pivot signals a strategic shift: ensuring India’s hosting credentials are iron‑clad before it pitches for the next big international events. The BRICS Games are the testing ground for logistics, security, and cultural presentation that will be crucial for the Commonwealth Games.
With the Asian Games wrapping up, focus now sharpens on the BRICS fest. Next up: the 2030 Commonwealth Games, where India hopes to cement its status as a global sporting powerhouse.