Another controversy at the ongoing Asian Games 2026. Leading members of India’s men’s rowing contingent have threatened to go on strike and skip Tuesday’s training session. The team is set to protest, and this comes after sudden crew changes ordered by the team management.
The reshuffle, made on Monday just two days before the rowing competitions begin on 23 September, has left several athletes “mentally hurt” and disturbed. The events were originally due to start on 20 September but were postponed because of Typhoon Dujuan. Among the changes, Balraj Panwar was moved from the quadruple sculls to the single sculls, while 2022 Asian Games silver medallist Arvind Singh shifted the other way.
Indian Rowers threaten strike; last-minute crew changes at Asian Games causes controversy
Navdeep Singh and Kulwinder Singh were transferred from the double sculls to the quadruple sculls, with Salman and Satnam moving in the opposite direction. Further swaps took place in the men’s pair and coxless four, including the inclusion of a reserve.
Rowers questioned the timing, noting that they had trained for months in specific boats and that coordination is essential in the sport. Some affected athletes reportedly refused to eat after learning of the changes. Sources indicated efforts were underway on Monday evening to resolve the dispute and ensure training proceeded as planned. As per a report in PTI:
"Some rowers have not taken food yet as they are in a disturbed state of mind. They are not knowing what to do.”
The report added:
"It is very sad, but things are not rosy in the rowing team."
Team management said the alterations were intended to field the strongest possible combinations, particularly given a compressed schedule. A senior official noted that rules permit up to 50 per cent of a crew to be changed only in cases of medical emergency, a condition the athletes say was not met.
The situation remains tense as India prepares for the start of competition at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Meanwhile, as per a report by the Indian Express, it has been stated that some leading rowers are planning to go on strike. They are also discussing not going to training on Tuesday. India has bagged five medals in the sport at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, including two silver and three bronze medals.
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