The Sports Ministry has removed para-shooting coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal from India's contingent for the Asian Para Games 2026 and approved a 166-athlete squad for the event, which begins on October 18 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Long-serving national coach Jeevan L Rai has replaced Nautiyal in the shooting setup.
The decision, reported by PTI and carried by the Times of India and News18, follows a controversy-marred selection process that triggered protests by shooters and cyclists. Nautiyal faced allegations of not following established selection criteria and of demanding kickbacks in exchange for selecting shooters. Aggrieved shooters protested outside the Sports Authority of India headquarters, attempted to disrupt the contingent's send-off ceremony last week, and later met Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to present their grievances.
Coach denies allegations
Nautiyal has rejected the charges. Speaking to The Indian Express, he said: "This is the first time someone is making allegations of corruption or favouritism against me. Nothing like this has happened." He maintained that the squad was picked in line with the Paralympic Committee of India's selection policy after two selection trials.
166 athletes cleared across 10 disciplines
With the approvals, India's total contingent stands at 275 — 166 athletes, 94 team officials and support staff, and 15 contingent staff members. India will compete in 10 disciplines.
The controversy-hit 13-member shooting squad includes Paralympic gold medallist Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal, whose silver at the World Championships in Korea secured India a quota place for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.
On the cycling front, the ministry held firm despite protests by omitted riders: only Paralympian Arshad Shaik, adjudged the best performer among those in contention and comfortably within the selection criteria, made the squad. Six cyclists recommended by the Cycling Federation of India and the PCI were left out for failing to meet the prescribed standards.
Medal hopes
Para-athletics forms the largest block with 62 athletes, including 46 men, and 36 support staff. Visually impaired sprinter Simran, a World Championships medallist, is in the squad and will run with a new guide, Shivam, after her former guide Umar Saifi was caught in a doping case.
Other headline names include Paralympic silver medallist Bhavina Patel in table tennis and a 28-strong badminton squad headlined by former world No. 1 and Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist Pramod Bhagat and former Paralympic silver medallist Suhas Yathiraj. In archery, 19-year-old world champion Sheetal Devi — a double gold medallist at the previous Para Asian Games — leads the challenge alongside 18-year-old Payal Nag, who beat Sheetal at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok earlier this year.
Sources: News18 — With Controversial Coach Sacked, Sports Ministry Approves 166 Athletes For Para Asian Games 2026 The Times of India (PTI) — Coach axed after explosive selection row! India name 166 athletes for Asian Para Games 2026 The Indian Express — Para Shooters protest at Asian Games send off ceremony due to selection mess
The decision, reported by PTI and carried by the Times of India and News18, follows a controversy-marred selection process that triggered protests by shooters and cyclists. Nautiyal faced allegations of not following established selection criteria and of demanding kickbacks in exchange for selecting shooters. Aggrieved shooters protested outside the Sports Authority of India headquarters, attempted to disrupt the contingent's send-off ceremony last week, and later met Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to present their grievances.
Coach denies allegations
Nautiyal has rejected the charges. Speaking to The Indian Express, he said: "This is the first time someone is making allegations of corruption or favouritism against me. Nothing like this has happened." He maintained that the squad was picked in line with the Paralympic Committee of India's selection policy after two selection trials.
166 athletes cleared across 10 disciplines
With the approvals, India's total contingent stands at 275 — 166 athletes, 94 team officials and support staff, and 15 contingent staff members. India will compete in 10 disciplines.
The controversy-hit 13-member shooting squad includes Paralympic gold medallist Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal, whose silver at the World Championships in Korea secured India a quota place for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.
On the cycling front, the ministry held firm despite protests by omitted riders: only Paralympian Arshad Shaik, adjudged the best performer among those in contention and comfortably within the selection criteria, made the squad. Six cyclists recommended by the Cycling Federation of India and the PCI were left out for failing to meet the prescribed standards.
Medal hopes
Para-athletics forms the largest block with 62 athletes, including 46 men, and 36 support staff. Visually impaired sprinter Simran, a World Championships medallist, is in the squad and will run with a new guide, Shivam, after her former guide Umar Saifi was caught in a doping case.
Other headline names include Paralympic silver medallist Bhavina Patel in table tennis and a 28-strong badminton squad headlined by former world No. 1 and Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist Pramod Bhagat and former Paralympic silver medallist Suhas Yathiraj. In archery, 19-year-old world champion Sheetal Devi — a double gold medallist at the previous Para Asian Games — leads the challenge alongside 18-year-old Payal Nag, who beat Sheetal at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok earlier this year.
Sources: News18 — With Controversial Coach Sacked, Sports Ministry Approves 166 Athletes For Para Asian Games 2026 The Times of India (PTI) — Coach axed after explosive selection row! India name 166 athletes for Asian Para Games 2026 The Indian Express — Para Shooters protest at Asian Games send off ceremony due to selection mess
