After an explosive selection series, the coach was axed! India has named 166 athletes for the 2026 Asian Para Games

Para-badminton player Pramod Bhagat, para-archer Rakesh Kumar, para-table tennis player Bhavina Patel and others during the elimination ceremony. (PTI photo) NEW DELHI: The sports ministry has withdrawn under fire para-shooting coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal from the Indian contingent for the 2026 Asian Para Games and approved a team of 166 athletes for the continental event in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, amid controversies over botched cyclist protests and the cycling selection process.The Games are scheduled to begin on October 18 and India will compete in 10 events. Long-time national team coach Jeevan L Rai replaced Nautiyal in the squad following allegations of irregularities in the selection process.According to a PTI report, Nautiyal faced allegations that he did not follow the set selection criteria and demanded kickbacks in exchange for selecting shooters. Several athletes protested outside the Sports Authority of India (SAI) headquarters, demanding his removal and an investigation into the allegations.The aggrieved shooters also met Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to air their grievances after they tried to disrupt the contingent’s retirement ceremony last week.With 166 sanctioned athletes, India will have a total contingent of 275, including 94 team officials and support staff and 15 contingent members.

Controversial shooting selection; the cyclists’ protest will not change the lineup

Paralympic gold medalist Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal are among others in the 13-member shooting team that has been at the center of controversy. Agarwal recently secured a silver medal at the World Championships in Korea, earning India a quota place for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.Despite the protests of the omitted athletes, the ministry also resisted pressure to add to the cycling staff at the last minute. Of the disputed ones, only Paralympian Arshad Shaik was approved, who fulfilled the selection criteria without any problems.Six other cyclists were selected by the Cycling Federation of India and the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) but were subsequently dropped as they did not meet the prescribed criteria.The decision comes amid questions over the selection process, with athletes seeking greater transparency in the composition of the Indian contingent.

Sheetal Devi, Bhavina Patel among India’s medal hopes

Para-athletics form the largest part of the Indian contingent with 62 athletes, including 46 men, and a support staff of 36. World Championship medalist Simran, a visually impaired sprinter, is also part of the team. After her previous guide Umar Saifi was caught in a doping case, she will compete with new guide Shivam.India’s other medal prospects include Paralympic silver medalist Bhavina Patel in table tennis and a strong badminton contingent of 28 players comprising 17 men and 11 women.Former world number one and Tokyo Paralympic gold medalist Pramod Bhagat and former Paralympic silver medalist Suhas Yathiraj headline the badminton squad, which has been assigned 11 members of support staff.In archery, 19-year-old Sheetal Devi, a two-time gold medalist in previous Para-Asian Games, will be among India’s leading contenders. The world champion will be joined by 18-year-old Payal Nag, who grabbed attention by defeating Sheetal at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok earlier this year.With a sizeable contingent and several established champions in their ranks, India will be looking to make a strong impression in Japan even as the selection controversy casts a shadow over the team’s preparations.