Sports Ministry Removes Para-Shooting Coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal, Clears 166 Athletes for Para Asian Games

New Delhi, Oct 13: The Sports Ministry has removed under-fire para-shooting coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal from India's contingent for the upcoming Para Asian Games, approving a 166-athlete squad following a controversy-hit selection process that triggered protests among shooters and cyclists.

Long-serving national coach Jeevan L Rai has replaced Nautiyal in the contingent for the continental event, scheduled to begin on October 18 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Nautiyal had faced allegations of violating established selection criteria and demanding kickbacks in exchange for selecting athletes. Several para-shooters protested outside the Sports Authority of India headquarters, demanding his removal and an investigation into the allegations. The aggrieved athletes also met Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya after attempting to disrupt the contingent's send-off ceremony last week.

The approved delegation comprises 166 athletes, 94 team officials and support staff, and 15 contingent staff, taking India's total representation to 275 across 10 disciplines.
Para-athletics accounts for the largest share of the squad, with 62 athletes, including 46 men, supported by a staff of 36. World Championships medallist Simran, a visually impaired sprinter whose previous guide, Umar Saifi, was caught in a doping case, will compete with a new guide, Shivam.

The Ministry has also refrained from making last-minute additions to the cycling squad despite protests from omitted athletes. Paralympian Arshad Shaik was the only cyclist approved, having comfortably met the prescribed selection criteria. Six other cyclists recommended by the Cycling Federation of India and the Paralympic Committee of India were excluded for failing to meet the requirements.

India's para-badminton contingent features 28 players, including 17 men and 11 women. Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist Pramod Bhagat and Paralympic silver medallist Suhas Yathiraj headline the squad, which will have 11 support staff members.

In archery, 19-year-old world champion Sheetal Devi will be among India's leading medal contenders. The armless compound archer won two gold medals at the previous Para Asian Games and will be joined by 18-year-old Payal Nag, who defeated Sheetal at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok earlier this year.

The table tennis squad includes Paralympic silver medallist Bhavina Patel, while the 13-member shooting contingent features Paralympic champion Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal.

Agarwal recently secured a quota place for India at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics by winning silver at the World Championships in South Korea. India will look to build on its previous success at the Para Asian Games, even as the selection controversy casts a shadow over preparations for the upcoming competition.