Pramod Bhagat, Simran Sharma Lead India At Asian Para Games Opening Ceremony

Pramod Bhagat and Simran Sharma led the Indian contingent as flag-bearers at the opening ceremony.© X (Twitter)

Shuttler Pramod Bhagat and sprinter Simran Sharma led the Indian contingent as flag-bearers at the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, held at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya on Sunday. The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) shared a video of the opening ceremony on Instagram, capturing the moment the Indian contingent entered the arena with the national tricolour. "A Proud Moment for India at Aichi-Nagoya 2026! The tricolour flies high as Team India makes a grand entrance at the Opening Ceremony of the 5th Asian Para Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026! Leading the Indian contingent with immense pride, our flag-bearers Pramod Bhagat and Simran Sharma carried the spirit, strength and aspirations of an entire nation onto the international stage," the PCI wrote.

The committee described the occasion as a moment of national pride and unity, expressing confidence in the Indian para-athletes as they compete at the continental sporting event.

"A moment of national pride, unity and sporting excellence as our para champions march forward with determination and the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians! One Nation. One Flag. One Dream. CHEER FOR BHARAT!" the post added.

Earlier, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) cleared 168 athletes for the 5th Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. A total contingent of 281 members has been approved, comprising 168 athletes, 98 team officials and support staff, and 15 contingent staff members.

The contingent size is significantly smaller than at the previous edition in Hangzhou in 2023, where India fielded 303 athletes. The 2026 Asian Para Games are being held from October 18 to 24.

Bhagat, one of India's most decorated para-badminton players, has won six Asian Para Games medals between 2014 and 2023, including two gold and four bronze medals.

Bhavina Patel, who was initially named as a flag-bearer before being replaced by Simran Sharma, has won two Asian Para Games medals in para table tennis, claiming a silver and a bronze between 2018 and 2023.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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