With the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Para Games just days away, India’s preparations have entered a decisive phase after a delayed and contentious selection process. The Indian contingent will be led by Paralympic champions Pramod Bhagat and Bhavina Patel as flagbearers, with the team aiming to translate its athletes’ international experience into a strong medal campaign in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from October 18 to 24.
The fifth edition of the Asian Para Games will bring together athletes from 45 Asian nations and regions across 18 sports. The event is among the region’s most significant multi-sport competitions for athletes with disabilities, offering a platform for established champions and emerging competitors to compete at the highest continental level.
India’s squad announcement, however, has drawn attention not only for the athletes selected but also for the uncertainty surrounding the selection process, quota allocations and pending legal challenges in certain disciplines. The supplied contingent details put India’s squad at 168 athletes, comprising 112 men and 56 women, supported by 98 team officials and 15 contingent staff. However, reports published on October 14 have cited a figure of 166 athletes across 10 sports.
The final number may change as pending appeals and selection-related matters are resolved. The reduction from India’s 309-athlete contingent at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games is a significant talking point. Para-athletics, traditionally one of India’s largest medal-producing disciplines, has been particularly affected by quota limitations. According to the supplied details, the initial allocation of 60 places was increased to 62 after the Paralympic Committee of India secured two additional slots.
The Sports Ministry has also opted not to field Indian teams in several disciplines, including goalball, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair rugby and taekwondo. These decisions have narrowed India’s participation compared with the full programme of 18 sports at the Games.
Despite the reduced contingent, India will have several accomplished para-athletes competing in Japan.
– Pramod Bhagat: The Paralympic champion in badminton will lead the Indian contingent as flagbearer, bringing considerable international experience to the Games.
– Bhavina Patel: The Paralympic silver medallist in table tennis will share the flagbearing responsibility, marking another important moment for India’s para-sport community.
– Sheetal Devi: The celebrated para-archer features among India’s selected athletes and will be one of the names to watch in the archery competition.
– Avani Lekhara: The Paralympic shooting champion is included in the supplied squad list, alongside fellow shooters Mona Agarwal and Rubina Francis.
– Deepthi Jeevanji and Preethi Pal: Both feature in the para-athletics contingent, which forms India’s largest listed discipline.
The squad also includes experienced para-badminton players such as Nitesh Kumar, Krishna Nagar and Sukant Kadam, alongside emerging competitors across swimming, archery, table tennis, powerlifting, judo, boccia, blind football and cycling.
India’s preparations have faced scrutiny following complaints from athletes and coaches regarding selection decisions. The Indian Express reported that para-shooters protested at a contingent send-off ceremony, alleging favouritism and irregularities in the selection process. The allegations were denied by the official named in the report, who maintained that selections were based on established criteria and trial performances.
Pending court appeals in some disciplines have added another layer of uncertainty, leaving open the possibility of changes to the final contingent. India’s reduced representation makes effective preparation and athlete support especially important at Aichi-Nagoya 2026. While quota restrictions help explain the smaller squad, concerns over selection transparency deserve clear and timely resolution.
For athletes who have spent years preparing for a continental championship, certainty over selection, coaching and logistical support is essential. Once competition begins, the focus must shift entirely to performance, with India’s established champions and emerging para-athletes seeking to turn their opportunities into medals.
The Games run from October 18 to 24, with the opening ceremony scheduled for October 18. For India, the challenge will be to combine its experience in established para-sports with strong performances from new contenders, while ensuring that administrative concerns do not overshadow the athletes’ achievements.
