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India's Karate Push: SAI's TAGG Scheme Fuels Asian Games Medal Dream

Alisha Subudhi's bronze medal at a top-tier karate event in Georgia has spotlighted India's growing potential in the sport. This success is underpinned by the Sports Authority of India's Target Asian Games Group scheme, which provides crucial funding and high-performance support. SAI facilitated a 45-day national camp in Lucknow and established a special committee to manage athlete preparation in the absence of a recognised national federation. With sustained backing, this structured approach aims to power India's karate contingent at the upcoming Asian Games.

Key Points: SAI's TAGG Scheme Powers India's Karate Bid for Asian Games

  • Alisha Subudhi wins historic WKF Series A bronze
  • SAI's TAGG scheme provides structured support
  • ₹1.2 crore national camp held in Lucknow
  • Karate Organising Committee ensures athlete preparation
2 min read

SAI's Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) to power India's karate push ahead of 2026 Asiad

Alisha Subudhi's historic bronze medal, backed by SAI's Target Asian Games Group, highlights India's structured push in karate ahead of the 2026 Asiad.

"I especially thank TAGG for giving the financial support and organising an excellent national camp - Alisha Subudhi"

New Delhi, Jan 13

A bronze medal in a top-level karate competition abroad is fuelling India's aspirations for the sport in the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, with intervention by the Sports Authority of India helping practitioners of the sport dream big.

Alisha Subudhi's historic bronze medal at the World Karate Federation (WKF) Series A Karate Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia, has highlighted that structured support towards non-mainstream sports disciplines can reap major benefits if constant backing persists.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI), particularly through the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) scheme, has been supporting combat sports disciplines like karate, where India has not delivered major results at the highest international level in the past.

Alisha, supported via the TAGG scheme, became the first Indian woman to medal at a Karate 1 - Series A event, defeating her Croatian opponent 8-0 In the bronze medal contest this month. A robust high-performance ecosystem was created through efforts from SAI through targeted funding, elite coaching exposure, and intensive national camps.

SAI had funded a senior National Coaching Camp in Lucknow in November-December 2025, putting forward assistance of Rs. 1.2 crore under the ANSF scheme under the Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) scheme, featuring 48 athletes.

The 45-day camp, held at the SAI Regional Centre, Lucknow, focused on match simulations, tactical sharpening, psychological conditioning, and recovery protocols. Alisha was a part of the camp.

"I especially thank TAGG for giving the financial support and organising an excellent national camp in Lucknow towards our preparation for the WKF Series A," the 23-year-old Alisha said in a release issued by SAI.

In the absence of a recognised National Sports Federation for karate, the Sports Authority of India ensured uninterrupted athlete preparation by constituting a Karate Organising Committee to manage selection trials, camps, and international exposure, ensuring that performance pathways remained intact.

The committee had also conducted Open National Selection Trials in the Senior Category from 12-14 October at the SAI Training Centre in NEHU Campus, Shillong. The trials were fully managed by the Karate Organising Committee of SAI, ensuring compliance with international norms, anti-doping rules, and videography-based evaluation.

With major competitions like the Asian Games looming later this year, the sustained backing through TAGG and SAI-led national camps is expected to play a decisive role, especially in non-mainstream sports where India has not been able to make a mark internationally in the past.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who follows combat sports, this is a huge step. Karate has a massive grassroots following in India, especially in smaller towns. This targeted support can unearth so much hidden talent. Hope this continues beyond just the Asian Games cycle.
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Rohit P
While the initiative is good, I hope the funds are used transparently. 1.2 crores is a lot of money. We need to ensure it directly benefits the athletes' training, travel, and equipment, and doesn't get lost in bureaucracy. Accountability is key.
A
Ananya R
So proud of Alisha! 🥉 Beating a European opponent 8-0 is no small feat. This shows the importance of psychological conditioning mentioned in the camp. Our athletes often have the skill but falter under pressure. Glad SAI is addressing that.
K
Karthik V
The fact that SAI had to form a committee because there's no recognised National Federation says a lot. We need proper federations for these sports to ensure long-term development. TAGG is a good stop-gap, but permanent infrastructure is needed.
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Priya S
This is the way forward for Indian sports. Instead of focusing only on a few, identify potential medal sports and back them fully. Wishing Alisha and the entire karate contingent all the best for the Asian Games! Bring more medals for India!

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