Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The Asian Para Games 2026 will begin with an opening ceremony in Nagoya, Japan, on Sunday, October 18. India will be represented by para badminton star Pramod Bhagat and sprinter Simran Sharma as its flag-bearers, after Sharma replaced table tennis player Bhavina Patel to allow her more time to rest ahead of her quarter-final on October 19.
The fifth edition of the Asian Para Games will feature around 3,000 athletes from 45 National Paralympic Committees competing across 18 sports. The Games will run until October 24, with events scheduled across Aichi-Nagoya and neighbouring municipalities.
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India has sent a 281-member contingent to Japan, comprising 168 athletes and 113 officials and support staff. The athletes include 112 men and 56 women and will compete in 11 sports. Para athletics has the largest representation, with 62 competitors, followed by para badminton with 28.
Paralympic champions Sumit Antil, Pramod Bhagat and Avani Lekhara are among the prominent Indian athletes competing at the Games. India will be looking to build on its performances at previous editions of the continental event.
Simran Sharma will join Pramod Bhagat as India’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony after the Paralympic Committee of India changed its original selection.
Bhavina Patel had initially been named alongside Bhagat, but the table tennis player will now be able to focus on her quarter-final scheduled for October 19. The change was made to ensure she gets adequate rest before the match.
Where will the Asian Para Games 2026 opening ceremony take place?
The opening ceremony will be held at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, also known as Paloma Mizuho Stadium, in Nagoya, Japan.
The ceremony will mark the start of seven days of competition at the fifth edition of the Games, which will be held under the motto ‘Imagine One Heart’.
When and where to watch the Asian Para Games 2026 opening ceremony live in India?
The opening ceremony is scheduled to begin at 2:30 PM IST on Sunday, October 18. In Japan, the ceremony will start at 6 PM local time.
The event will be streamed live on the FanCode app and website in India. DD Sports may also broadcast the ceremony, subject to official confirmation.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
