Asian Para Games 2026: India Clears 281-Member Contingent for Aichi-Nagoya
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) approved a 281-member Indian contingent for the upcoming 5th Asian Para Games, scheduled to take place from October 18 to 24, 2026, in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
This roster represents a decrease from the previous edition of the games. During the 2023 Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou, China, India fielded a larger contingent of 303 athletes.
Discipline-Wise Breakdown of Indian Athletes
The 168 athletes heading to Japan will compete across 11 different sports disciplines. Para athletics features the largest group with 62 competitors, including 46 men and 16 women. Para badminton follows with 28 athletes consisting of 17 men and 11 women.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 🇮🇳The Indian contingent marched proudly at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2026.Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat led the way, carrying the Indian Tricolour.📸R.V.Moorthy, PTI #AsianGames #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/y7tuVVHNtO
Other sports allocations include 16 athletes in para swimming (14 men, 2 women) and 13 in para shooting (7 men, 6 women). Para archery accounts for 11 athletes (6 men, 5 women), while blind football features 10 male athletes. Para table tennis fields 10 players (4 men, 6 women), and para powerlifting includes 8 competitors evenly split with 4 men and 4 women. The delegation also includes 7 athletes in para judo (2 men, 5 women), 2 in boccia (1 man, 1 woman), and 1 male athlete in para cycling.
To support the athletes, the contingent includes 113 officials, covering coaches, medical staff, and representatives from the Paralympic Committee of India.
Flag Bearers Pramod Bhagat and Bhavina Patel Lead the Delegation
Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat and table tennis star Bhavina Patel will serve as India’s flag bearers during the opening ceremony in Aichi-Nagoya. Bhagat, a prominent figure in para badminton, secured six medals at the Asian Para Games between 2014 and 2023, consisting of two gold and four bronze medals. Patel claimed two medals at the games from 2018 to 2023, winning one silver and one bronze.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Asian Para Games
When and where will the 5th Asian Para Games take place?
The 5th Asian Para Games are scheduled for October 18 to 24, 2026, in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
How many athletes did India send to the previous Asian Para Games?
India sent 303 athletes to the 2023 Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou, China, which is higher than the 168 athletes approved for the 2026 event.
Which sports has the highest number of Indian athletes in 2026?
Para athletics is the largest discipline in the 2026 contingent, with 62 athletes, followed by para badminton with 28 athletes.