New Delhi: India's contingent caught the eye at the opening ceremony of the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Sunday, October 18, with a ceremonial kit inspired by the Indus Valley Civilisation. The deep blue blazers, featuring golden prints of some of the civilisation's best-known artefacts, brought a touch of India's ancient heritage to the parade of nations.
The blazers featured motifs inspired by the famous Priest-King sculpture and the Dancing Girl figurine, two iconic artefacts associated with the Indus Valley Civilisation. The design also incorporated prints of ancient seals, drawing on the civilisation's distinctive symbols and script. The kit offered a nod to a civilisation that flourished thousands of years ago, with the Indian contingent carrying its cultural legacy onto the sporting stage in Nagoya.
The blazers also featured the Indian Tricolour on the pocket, close to the heart, while the collar paid tribute to SaptSindhu, the land of the seven rivers. The opening ceremony marked the start of the fifth edition of the Asian Para Games, which runs from October 18 to 24. India has fielded a large contingent including 168 athletes competing across 11 disciplines, as roughly 3,000 athletes from 45 nations gather under the event motto 'Imagine One Heart'.
Meanwhile, para-badminton player Pramod Bhagat and para-sprinter Simran Sharma led the Indian contingent as flag bearers at the opening ceremony. Simran stepped in to replace para-table tennis player Bhavina Patel, with the delegation's management prioritising the latter's rest and recovery ahead of her upcoming quarter-final match.
The adjustment was made keeping in mind the demanding travel time of nearly six hours to and from the venue, which would have left Bhavina, a wheelchair athlete, with limited time to prepare for her contest. Team officials emphasised that athlete well-being and competition readiness remained the top priority, allowing Bhagat and Simran to successfully guide the team into the tournament.