Asian Para Games 2026: Pramod Bhagat questions Gaurav Khanna’s medal predictions, calls for inquiry

Pramod Bhagat has called for action against former para-badminton coach Gaurav Khanna over his medal predictions. | Photo Credit: BISWARANJAN ROUT

Tokyo Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat has called for action against former national para badminton head coach Gaurav Khanna over a social media post predicting India’s medal tally before the finals of the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Bhagat said the public predictions, which also named individual athletes, were inappropriate and could have placed additional pressure on players preparing for important matches.

Khanna had predicted that India would win 16 para badminton medals — two gold, six silver and eight bronze — in a post shared a day before the finals. The post was subsequently deleted.

India eventually finished with 16 medals, but its tally comprised three gold, five silver and eight bronze. At the previous Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, the country had won 21 para badminton medals, including four gold.

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Bhagat, a six-time world champion, questioned the timing of the post and said such statements raised concerns about professional responsibility, particularly when made by someone identifying himself as head coach.

He told PTI that athletes should be allowed to compete without predictions shaping public expectations. He also called on the Badminton Association of India (BAI), Sports Authority of India (SAI) and other authorities to examine the incident and establish guidelines to prevent a recurrence.

The controversy also involved Bhagat’s own performance. Khanna had predicted a silver medal for him in the men’s singles SL3 event. Bhagat eventually finished runner-up after losing to fellow Indian Nitesh Kumar in the final.

Bhagat said no result could be taken for granted before a match was completed, adding that forecasts could affect how athletes were perceived if they failed to meet expectations.

He also pointed to the practice of maintaining neutrality when two Indian players meet, arguing that publicly favouring an outcome in an all-Indian final could raise questions about fairness.

India’s para badminton chairman K. Prabhakar Rao has also criticised the post, saying it risked putting athletes under psychological pressure. He said he would raise the issue with BAI for appropriate action.

On Tuesday, Indian players submitted a complaint to the Sports Ministry, SAI and senior BAI officials, seeking a formal inquiry and disciplinary action against Khanna.

( With inputs from PTI).

Published on Oct 29, 2026

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