Coach axed after selection row! India name 166 athletes for Asian Para Games

India's Sports Ministry has removed para-shooting coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal and confirmed a 166-athlete squad for the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Nautiyal was replaced by Jeevan L Rai following allegations of demanding kickbacks and violating selection criteria, which led to protests by shooters outside the Sports Authority of India headquarters and meetings with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

India's total contingent stands at 275 members across 10 disciplines, including prominent medal hopefuls such as Avani Lekhara, Sheetal Devi, Bhavina Patel, and Pramod Bhagat. The Ministry also declined late additions to the cycling team, approving only Paralympian Arshad Shaik after six other cyclists failed to meet the official selection criteria.