Paris Paralympics bronze medallist sprinter Simran Sharma will be India’s flagbearer alongside shuttler Pramod Bhagat at the Asian Para Games opening ceremony on Sunday, October 18, having replaced paddler Bhavina Patel, who would need enough rest ahead of her quarterfinal encounter on Monday.
The Paralympic Committee of India had earlier named Bhavina and Pramod as India’s flag bearers for Sunday’s opening ceremony. But the committee later revised its decision, taking into account Bhavina’s competition schedule and the logistical demands of travelling to and from the venue.
In a statement, the PCI said that the journey would take almost six hours, leaving Bhavina with little time to rest and recover ahead of her quarter-final.
“The decision has
been taken to ensure that Bhavina, a wheelchair athlete, has sufficient time to rest and prepare for her crucial quarter-final. The journey to and from the venue takes nearly six hours, which would be physically demanding and leave her with limited time to recover ahead of the match,” the statement said.
Para athletics head coach Satyanarayana said that the team was unwilling to compromise on Bhavina’s preparations ahead of her crucial knockout contest on Monday.
“Bhavina has her quarter-final match on October 19 and she must get adequate rest and recovery ahead of this crucial contest. As a wheelchair athlete, travelling to and from the venue takes nearly six hours, which would be demanding and leave her with limited time to recover,” Satyanarayana said.
“Keeping her well-being and competition schedule in mind, we felt it was important to make this change. Our priority is to ensure that our athletes get the rest they need and are fully prepared to give their best when they compete,” Satyanarayana added.
Pramod, meanwhile, is one of India’s most decorated para shuttlers, having claimed six medals across the 2014, 2018 and 2023 Asian Para Games editions, including two gold and four bronze.
