Asian Games 2026: India’s programme for September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya

Saturday, September 19 will be the formal opening day of the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, with Indian athletes competing earlier in the day and an evening ceremony scheduled at Paloma Mizuho Stadium.

Several disciplines — including women’s cricket, soft tennis and teqball — began before the parade of nations, so India already has competitors in medal contention ahead of the opening ceremony. Teqball is making its first appearance at the Asian Games.

Debutant Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza topped her teqball group with back-to-back wins. Her second victory was a 2-0 result over Cambodia’s Koemyean Dy. That run through the group phase secured her a place in the knockout rounds.

She is due to face Indonesia’s Sumaya in the women’s singles semi-final. The match is scheduled for 06:30 AM IST on September 19. The semi-final forms part of the morning programme on the Games’ opening day.

The opening ceremony will take place at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Aichi-Nagoya and is scheduled from 02:30 PM to 04:30 PM IST. Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and defending Asian Games shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been named India’s flagbearers. The ceremony’s theme is "Harmonic Heart Beat", built around athletes from across Asia connecting through sport, with filmmaker Yukihiko Tsutsumi, known for the 20th Century Boys trilogy, leading the creative direction.

A victory for Quimcy in the early semi-final would advance her into the teqball final. The evening opening ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium will follow from 02:30 PM to 04:30 PM IST.