By BY KHURRAM SHEHZAD:
The 20th Asian Games will bring Asia’s sporting powers together in Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026, with Nagoya and the wider Aichi region preparing to host one of the world’s largest multi-sport events. More than 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions are expected to compete for medals across a wide-ranging sporting programme.
The Games will feature traditional Olympic disciplines such as athletics, swimming, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, shooting, wrestling, weightlifting and volleyball, alongside sports with strong Asian traditions including kabaddi, squash, karate, wushu, ju-jitsu, kurash and sepak takraw. Cricket, baseball, softball and esports will also add major interest.
The participating nations include China, Japan, India, South Korea, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and many other Asian countries and regions. An OCA Refugee Team will also participate.
China Starts as Medal Favourite
China enters Aichi-Nagoya as the dominant force in recent Asian Games history. Its large delegation is expected to challenge for gold medals across almost every major discipline, including swimming, athletics, gymnastics, diving, shooting, table tennis, badminton, weightlifting and martial arts.
Japan will attempt to use home advantage to produce a strong medal performance, particularly in judo, swimming, gymnastics, wrestling, karate and baseball.
India also arrives with major ambitions. Its large contingent will compete in athletics, hockey, shooting, cricket, badminton, wrestling, kabaddi, archery and several other sports. India’s growing sporting strength makes it one of the principal challengers to China and Japan.
Pakistan’s Medal Mission
Pakistan will be looking to make its presence felt across several sports. Cricket, hockey, kabaddi, volleyball and squash are among the country’s most closely watched competitions, while athletics, shooting, wrestling and other disciplines could provide additional medal opportunities.
Cricket is expected to be one of Pakistan’s biggest attractions. The Pakistan men’s T20 squad is led by Sahibzada Farhan, with Abdul Samad as vice-captain. The 15-member squad also includes Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Arafat Minhas, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Saad Masood, Saim Ayub, Sufyan Moqim and wicketkeeper Usman Khan.
Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are among the major seeded teams in the men’s cricket competition. The tournament begins on September 24, with the medal matches scheduled for October 3.
Hockey remains equally important because of Pakistan’s proud history in the sport. Pakistan has been drawn in Pool B alongside Malaysia, China, Oman, Uzbekistan and Thailand. A strong performance could put Pakistan back among the Asian Games hockey medal contenders.
Pakistan’s men’s volleyball team will face Japan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, while the kabaddi team has been drawn alongside Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia and Iran. Both competitions will provide difficult challenges but also opportunities for Pakistan to compete for medals.
Squash is another sport carrying significant expectations because Pakistan has produced some of the greatest players in the history of the discipline. Competition from India, Malaysia, Hong Kong China and Japan will be intense.
A Games for a New Generation
Aichi-Nagoya 2026 will combine established sports with newer and increasingly popular disciplines. The inclusion of esports and other emerging sports reflects the changing face of Asian sport and is expected to attract younger audiences.
The Games will also have an unusual accommodation arrangement, with athletes staying across hotels and other facilities rather than in one traditional athletes’ village.
In the final days before the opening ceremony, heavy rainfall and flooding in Nagoya created logistical challenges, temporarily forcing hundreds of athletes and officials to evacuate their accommodation. Officials have nevertheless maintained that the Games will proceed as scheduled.
For China, the objective is continued continental dominance. Japan wants to shine before its home crowd, while India seeks another major step forward.
For Pakistan, the mission is clear: compete strongly, challenge Asia’s best and return from Japan with medals that can revive the country’s proud sporting tradition.
When the Games open on September 19, Nagoya will become the centre of Asian sport, as thousands of athletes compete not only for medals but for the honour of becoming champions of Asia.
