India names 166-athlete contingent for Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya

India has named a 166-athlete contingent for the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, scheduled from October 18 to 24. The squad comprises 111 male and 55 female para-athletes across 10 sports.

With an aim to breach the 100-medal mark for a second successive edition, India’s selection represents a reduction from the previous Games. The 166-member group is half the size of the delegation India sent to Hangzhou; India sent 303 para-athletes to the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, held in October 2023 under the official 2022 edition title. The 2026 squad is 137 athletes fewer than the Hangzhou delegation. In Hangzhou, India won 108 medals — 27 gold, 32 silver and 49 bronze.

India will compete in 10 disciplines, including individual sports and blind football. Para-athletics accounts for the largest share of the contingent with 62 para-athletes. The delegation also includes teams in para-badminton and para-swimming.

Named among the contingent are para-archer Sheetal Devi, para-table tennis player Bhavina Patel and para-badminton Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat. The list blends established performers with newer entrants across multiple events. The blind football team is included alongside individual sport competitors.

India will look to make the most of its 166-athlete contingent, with established performers and emerging talent aiming to deliver strong results. The focus will be on converting their opportunities into medals and maintaining India’s presence among Asia’s leading para-sport nations. The selection restates the team’s objective of targeting podium finishes in Aichi-Nagoya.

The Asian Para Games are scheduled to run from October 18 to 24 in Aichi-Nagoya. For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram