Mandaviya launches new Team India jersey at New Delhi send-off for Aichi‑Nagoya 2026 Para Asian Games

India’s Para Asian Games contingent received a formal send-off in New Delhi on Thursday, where Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched the new Team India jersey ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games. The ceremony was organised by the Paralympic Committee of India and named para-badminton star Pramod Bhagat as the Indian flag bearer.

The event opened with the traditional lighting of the lamp and was attended by Paralympic medallists Simran Sharma, Preeti Pal and Kapil Parmar, para-archer Rakesh Kumar and para-powerlifter Ashok Kumar. Paralympic Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia, PCI and M3M Foundation chairperson Payal Kanodia and head coach Satyanarayana were present at the send-off. Mandaviya addressed the athletes at the ceremony and urged them to concentrate on winning medals for the country.

On the podium, Mandaviya praised the para-athletes’ resilience, saying, "Para-athletes are those young people who have already won the battle of life. It is not a small thing to challenge nature and move ahead." He added: "You have already won the journey of life. But now, you also have to conquer the journey of medals."

Mandaviya also spoke about institutional backing, stating: "Today, our athletes, whether para-athletes or able-bodied athletes, have no shortage of support. From the government, from the federation, from the Olympic Association — whatever support is needed is available to them. The government stands firmly behind them." He invoked a Mahabharata analogy on focus and targets: "We have to identify our target with passion, commitment and dedication. We have to be successful. We have to win," and he concluded, "And athletes never lose. Either they win or they learn."

Head coach Satyanarayana outlined his expectations for medals and described a tight selection process after a cut in quota, saying, "We will get medals till 95. In athletics, the number of athletes in the contingent is 60. Not even one will be less. Keep this in mind. That is why we have conducted the selection process very well." He added: "The athletes are also very confident. All of them are fit. Para athletics is starting from the 19th, and from the 19th, we will start with the gold medal."

Addressing the reduced squad size, Satyanarayana acknowledged the disappointment caused by the cuts and defended selections on merit: "This time the quota has been reduced. It was 130 quota, and from 130 we have come down to 60. Seventy people have been cut. If someone had it in his mind that, 'I am fourth, I will be selected', but he was not selected, then there is bound to be disappointment." He added, "We have also made a lot of effort. I have pain from inside, that is why I have pain. But whoever is making the team has real talent. He has the eligibility. I do not have that much quota. That is why we have had to leave some athletes out."

Discus thrower Suvarna Raj, who said an injury six months ago had raised doubts about her participation, pledged a medal and backed a strong overall haul: "They have made me so strong that this time I promise that I will get a medal." She also predicted a triple-digit medal tally: "The medal tally will remain in the triple digits, don't worry, and it will also increase in the triple digits. You see, last time we reached 120, this time we are going to 60, but still we are promising that we will come back in the triple digits." Flag bearer Pramod Bhagat described the honour as significant after a difficult spell and set his sights on top prize: "Definitely, there are ups and downs in life, and I have gone through a tough time. But finally, it is said that after sorrow comes happiness. My hurdles have been overcome, and finally, I have been made a flag bearer, which is a very big thing in itself." He added, "Definitely, all of you have the hope that when Pramod Bhagat goes, he will get gold. I will try not to disappoint you. My preparation is very good, and I will try to get gold for all of you."

Para athletics is scheduled to begin on the 19th, a date head coach Satyanarayana identified as the start of India’s gold-medal campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games.