By Hishan Welmilla
Ach-Nagoya. Japan’s first-ever home-hosted Asian Para Games are expected to provide a major platform for para athletes to raise their public profiles, inspire future generations and promote greater inclusion through sport.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games will bring together approximately 3,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions, competing across 18 sports over seven days. The continental event follows the conclusion of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on October 4, placing disability sport in the international spotlight.
Hiroyuki Misaka, head of the Japanese delegation, believes the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, played a significant role in expanding public awareness and understanding of parasports across Japan.
Misaka said the upcoming Games could further encourage a society where people with disabilities and members of social minorities feel empowered to challenge themselves and pursue their ambitions.
The tournament also follows the Tokyo Deaflympics, held in November 2025, which helped increase public recognition of disability sport. The event attracted approximately 280,000 spectators, significantly exceeding initial expectations and demonstrating growing public interest in inclusive sporting competitions.
With athletes from across Asia preparing to compete, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games represent an important opportunity to build on this momentum, challenge stereotypes and encourage greater participation in parasports. Beyond medals and records, the Games could leave a lasting legacy by improving accessibility, strengthening public awareness and creating more opportunities for athletes with disabilities throughout the region.
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