Para Asian Games 2026: Sports Ministry Clears 275-Member Indian Contingent For Aichi-Nagoya Games

New Delhi: With the Para Asian Games just days away, the Sports Ministry has cleared the participation of a 275-member Indian team for the Aichi-Nagoya Games, set to take place from October 18 to 24. Competing in 492 medal events across 18 sports, the Indian contingent will include 166 athletes, 111 male and 55 female, representing 10 disciplines.

A significant decrease from the 309 athletes sent to Hangzhou, this reduced contingent is attributed to the limited quotas available for the current edition. India had previously sent 123 athletes to the badminton event in Hangzhou, but only 60 quotas were initially allocated. The nation's athletes won 111 medals in Hangzhou, including 29 gold, 31 silver, and 51 bronze.

Flagbearers for the upcoming opening ceremony are Paralympic medallists Pramod Bhagat (badminton) and Bhavina Patel (table tennis). Para athletics boasts the largest contingent with 62 athletes, followed by para badminton with 28 and para swimming with 16. The ministry's recent notification, dated October 1 and 10, revealed the names of athletes and officials in eight disciplines.

Further, the ministry noted that the actual number of participants, including athletes, coaches, and officials, may be fewer than mentioned if they decide not to attend for various reasons. Sanction for athletes and team officials in Boccia will be issued separately based on eligibility. The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) will formally welcome the Indian contingent at a send-off ceremony on Thursday, graced by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya as the Chief Guest and Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, as the Guest of Honour.