Iran NPC, Tehran:
Aich-Nagoya 2026 will be the biggest Asian
Para Games ever with a record number of athletes set to take part. It is
estimated that 3600 – 4000 athletes will compete in
total across 18 sports.
Concluding his three-day visit to Aichi
and Nagoya cities and taking part in the second co-ordination committee meeting,
AsPC President Majid Rashed attended a Press Conference.
Speaking at a press conference Majid
Rashed said; "These will be the third Asian Para Games under my presidency and
their importance cannot be underestimated. They are the second largest
para-sport event in the world."
"There will be about three times more
Asian para-athletes here in Aichi-Nagoya than there were in Paris. That is
three times more families who can be proud of their athlete, three times more
local newspapers who can tell the athletes’ stories, three times more local
governments that can be encouraged to do more for people with impairments.
"In Hangzhou, 33 NPCs returned home
with medals, eleven more than won medals in Paris. This gives eleven more
countries in Asia the opportunity to celebrate the success of their
para-athletes and break down barriers. All of this demonstrates that these
games are vital for the development of para-sport across our region. And this
means they are vital to help us achieve our vision of making an inclusive Asia
through para-sport."
Continuing, he thanked the organising
committee for their efforts so far and expressed his confidence that the games
will be a success; "We know that the organising committee recognise
their importance too and that the whole team here has been working very hard to
ensure that the games preparations are on track. With the spotlight on Aichi
Prefecture and Nagoya there is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the region
and city at it’s very best. We are pleased with the progress that
has been made and believe that the games will be a success for the city,
prefecture and country and that they have an impact right across our region."
The fifth Edition of the Asian Para
Games will take place in Japan from 18 to 24 October 2026.