New Delhi, Oct. 18 -- Tokyo Paralympics silver medallist Bhavina Patel will not be accompanying Pramod Bagat during the Para Asian Games 2026 Opening Ceremony on Sunday in Aichi-Nagoya. Bhagat, who is a Tokyo Paralympics gold medallist, and Patel were initially named as Indian flag bearers for the Opening Ceremony of the fifth edition of the Games.

However, the development of Patel not participating in the Opening ceremony came at the last minute. Instead of Patel, Simran Sharma will serve as India's flag bearer for the Para Asian Games 2026 Opening Ceremony at 2 PM IST (6 PM local time) at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on October 18.

The decision underscores the importance of putting athletes' well-being first and ensuri...