{
  "id": 12622322,
  "title": "Asian Para Games 2026 Pramod Bhagat, Bhavina Patel Named India's Flag Bearers For Opening Ceremony",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/asian-para-games-2026-pramod-bhagat-bhavina-patel-named-indias-flag",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T11:28:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/asian-para-games-2026-pramod-bhagat-bhavina-patel-named-indias-flag-bearers-for-opening-ceremony"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Paralympic champions Pramod Bhagat and Bhavina Patel have been chosen as flag bearers to lead the Indian delegation at the Opening Ceremony of the Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan. Scheduled to take place from October 18 to 24, the Games aim to showcase the talents of para-athletes from across the continent. Bhagat, a renowned para badminton player, has secured six Asian Para Games medals, including two gold and four bronze, between 2014 and 2023. Patel, a prominent para table tennis athlete, has also earned two Asian Para Games medals, one silver and one bronze, during the same period. Speaking about her selection, Patel expressed her pride, saying, \"It is a very proud moment for me to be chosen as India's flag bearer. When you carry the Tricolour, you realise that you are representing something much bigger than yourself.\" During the official send-off ceremony on October 8, Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will preside as the chief guest, while Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, will be the Guest of Honour. Devendra Jhajharia, President of the Paralympic Committee of India, praised the flag bearers, stating that they are exceptional champions who have made significant contributions to the growth of Indian para sports. Jhajharia expressed confidence that Bhagat and Patel will inspire the Indian athletes as they compete in the upcoming Games.",
  "summary": "New Delhi, Oct 7: Paralympic champions Pramod Bhagat and Bhavina Patel will lead the Indian contingent as flag bearers at the Opening Ceremony of the Asian Para Games, scheduled to be held from October 18 to 24 in Nagoya, Japan. Bhagat, one of India’s most decorated para badminton players, has won six Asian Para Games medals, including two gold and four bronze, from 2014 to 2023. Patel is a…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}