Omitted Indian para cyclists plan protest after SAI clears only Arshad Shaik for Para Asian Games

Omitted Indian para cyclists announced on October 8, 2026 they will stage a protest after being left out of the nation's squad for the Para Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, while the Sports Authority of India (SAI) says selection followed its established criteria and approved only Arshad Shaik for cycling.

SAI has told officials that Arshad is the sole para cyclist meeting the prescribed selection standards, and the Asian Para Games are scheduled to begin in Aichi-Nagoya on October 18. The ministry has not formally released the final Indian contingent, but PTI reports a 128-member squad across eight sports has received approval. Omitted riders have alleged discrimination over the selections.

Road cyclist Prashant Arkal, one of those left out, told PTI he and others had been training in Leh and were unaware their names had been omitted: "We have been in Leh preparing for the Asian Para Games all this while, we didn't even know that our names have been omitted," he said. Arkal added: "The Government's approval lists only one athlete for Para Cycling even though we have spent from our own pocket to meet the qualification criteria."

Those who were omitted include Prashant Arkal, Pavan Kumar Kommoji, Sameer, Vasani Babubhai, Shashruti Vinayak Nakade and Lisha Das. The Cycling Federation of India’s recommended list had contained Lisha Das, who "had earlier competed at the Commonwealth Games amid controversy" and "had alleged that she was not provided with a female support staff at the event and was forced to compete while dealing with considerable mental and emotional pressure."

SAI defended its decision by pointing to objective results, saying Arshad "is the only athlete who fulfils the prescribed selection standards." The organisation noted Arshad finished fourth in a field of nine competitors at this year’s Asian Para Road Championships and placed fifth among eight participants in the 1km time trial at the Asian Para Track Championships. "Finishing fourth in a four-player field cannot be considered for selection. They are being misled by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and the Cycling Federation of India (CFI)," a SAI source told PTI.

World rankings published up to February showed India was sixth among Asian nations in men’s para cycling and fourth in the women’s category, and under the Asian Para Games qualification rules nations placed between fourth and sixth receive four slots in the men’s category and three in the women’s category via the Combined Nations Ranking. The SAI source added: "But the point here is that even if you clinch a quota by finishing eighth in a nine-man field, it does not mean you merit selection. Then it defeats the purpose of having a selection criteria."

The omitted cyclists are expected to meet Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) CEO N S Johal at the SAI office to present their grievances and seek clarity over the selection process as India prepares for the Asian Para Games beginning October 18 in Aichi-Nagoya.