TURMOIL has gripped the Indian para-sports landscape just days before the Asian Para Games 2026, as the Sports Ministry took the decisive step of axing under-fire para-shooting coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal. The move comes in the wake of an explosive selection row that saw athletes take to the streets in protest, alleging deep-seated irregularities and claims of kickbacks within the national shooting contingent.
As the countdown to the October 18 curtain-raiser in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, intensifies, the Ministry has officially greenlit a 166-athlete squad. While the dismissal of Nautiyal marks a significant victory for the aggrieved shooters who lobbied Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the shadow of the selection controversy continues to loom over the team’s preparations for the continental spectacle.
The Fallout of the Shooting Scandal
The controversy reached a fever pitch last week when disgruntled shooters staged a high-profile protest outside the Sports Authority of India (SAI) headquarters. Athletes accused Nautiyal of disregarding established meritocratic criteria, with explosive allegations suggesting that spots on the squad were being traded for financial kickbacks.
Following direct meetings with the Sports Minister, the Ministry acted swiftly to restore order, appointing the long-serving national coach Jeevan L. Rai to take the reins from the disgraced former coach. Despite the leadership shake-up, the 13-member shooting squad remains largely intact as originally named. The team features heavyweights such as Paralympic gold medallist Avani Lekhara and the rising star Mona Agarwal, the latter of whom recently bolstered her credentials with a silver medal at the World Championships in Korea—securing a vital quota place for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.
Cyclists’ Grievances and Ministerial Firmness
While the shooters saw a change in leadership, the cycling contingent faced a different reality. Despite mounting pressure and protests from athletes omitted from the squad, the Ministry stood firm on its decision to keep the cycling list restricted.
Only seasoned Paralympian Arshad Shaik earned the nod for the Aichi-Nagoya trip, having proven his mettle by comfortably clearing the rigorous selection benchmarks. Conversely, six other cyclists, who had initially been recommended by the Cycling Federation of India and the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), were ultimately excluded. The Ministry’s decision to uphold these exclusions underscores a push for stricter adherence to performance-based criteria, even as athletes continue to demand greater transparency and accountability in how the national squads are finalized.
Heavy Hitters Lead India’s Medal Charge
Beyond the administrative turbulence, the sheer quality of the 166-strong Indian contingent remains the primary talking point. India is set to compete across 10 disciplines, with a total travel party of 275 individuals, including 94 team officials and support staff.
Para-athletics represents the backbone of the Indian challenge, contributing 62 athletes to the fold. All eyes will be on visually impaired sprinter Simran, a World Championship medallist, who enters the Games with a new guide, Shivam, following the doping-related disqualification of her previous partner, Umar Saifi. The transition, while challenging, has not dampened expectations for one of India’s brightest track stars.
In the arena of para-badminton, India boasts one of its strongest lineups in recent history. The 28-player squad is headlined by a formidable duo: former world No. 1 and Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist Pramod Bhagat and the illustrious Suhas Yathiraj. With 11 support staff members dedicated to the shuttle sport, the team is well-equipped to dominate the podium.
The archery contingent is equally electric, featuring the teenage sensation Sheetal Devi. The 19-year-old, who captured the world’s imagination with a double gold-medal performance at the previous Para Asian Games, remains a firm favorite to repeat her heroics. However, she faces stiff domestic competition from the 18-year-old prodigy Payal Nag, who shocked the sporting world by defeating Devi earlier this year at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok.
A Nation Poised for Impact
With Paralympic silver medallist Bhavina Patel bolstering the table tennis hopes, India’s representative strength in Japan is undeniable. The Sports Ministry’s intervention in the coaching staff suggests a commitment to ensuring that on-field performance remains the primary focus as the Games approach.
However, the lingering questions regarding the selection process have left a bitter taste for those left behind. As the athletes descend upon Aichi-Nagoya, the challenge will be to channel the frustrations of the last few weeks into a unified, winning performance. India heads to Japan not just looking for medals, but looking to prove that its sporting culture is defined by the talent of its champions rather than the controversies of its administrators. With the opening ceremony on the horizon, the pressure is on for the Indian contingent to deliver and silence the skeptics on the global stage.
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