Nagoya, October 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Pramod Bhagat and Simran Sharma will serve as flag-bearers for the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the Para Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Sunday, as team administrators have prioritised Bhavina Patel’s rest and recovery ahead of her quarterfinal match on Monday.
The decision was taken to ensure that Bhavina, a silver medallist at the 2020 Paralympic Games, has sufficient time to rest and prepare for the crucial contest. The journey to and from the ceremony venue takes nearly six hours, which could be physically demanding and leave her with limited time to recover before the match.
Explaining the decision, Satyanarayana, Head Coach of Para Athletics, said, “Bhavina has her quarterfinal match on October 19, and it is important that she gets adequate rest and recovery ahead of this crucial contest. As a wheelchair athlete, travelling to and from the venue takes nearly six hours, which would be demanding and leave her with limited time to recover. Keeping her well-being and competition schedule in mind, we felt it was important to make this change. Our priority is to ensure that our athletes get the rest they need and are fully prepared to give their best when they compete.”
Bhagat and Simran will represent the determination, resilience and sporting spirit of Indian athletes as they lead the contingent during the opening ceremony.
The decision highlights the importance of prioritising athletes’ well-being and ensuring that ceremonial responsibilities do not interfere with their preparation and performance at the Games.
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) is anticipating a strong medal haul from the Para Asian Games in Japan, with Bhagat and Bhavina among the prominent Indian athletes competing. India is particularly hopeful of success in para-athletics and para-badminton.
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