NEW DELHI: For a champion who has conquered the biggest stages in para badminton, the prospect of carrying the Indian flag as the flagbearer at the upcoming Para Asian Games for Pramod Bhagat is still an experience that stands apart from every medal and accolade.A gold medallist at the Tokyo Paralympics, Bhagat is preparing for his fifth Asian Para Games, carrying with him the experience of six medals, including two golds and four bronze. Yet, despite years of competing at the highest level, the responsibility of carrying the tricolour has brought a fresh sense of excitement.Bhagat recalled watching flag bearers lead the Indian contingent during his earlier appearances at the continental showpiece. The sight left a lasting impression on him, and now, as he prepares to take on that role himself, the feeling has become all the more meaningful.Having already won Paralympic gold, two Asian Games gold medals and the Padma Shri, Bhagat has experienced several defining moments in his sporting journey. However, he believes that the honour of being flag bearer cannot be compared with any of those achievements.“My expectation is gold, but it won’t be easy,” he said, underlining the ambition that continues to drive him despite an already impressive medal collection.For Bhagat, longevity at the highest level has been built on the ability to adapt. Every edition of the Asian Para Games brings a different set of challenges, with opponents improving, preparations changing and the demands of the sport becoming more intense.“When you go to the second or third Asian Para Games, there is a difference of four years. A lot changes in four years. I try to learn from the past and move forward. I try to do my best, and I want to be successful,” he said.That approach has helped Bhagat remain a key figure in India’s para badminton movement. His focus is not simply on defending his reputation but on finding ways to improve with every campaign. The target remains gold, but the process involves learning from previous performances, understanding the competition and making the most of his preparation.Beyond his personal ambitions, Bhagat is equally encouraged by the growing strength of Indian para badminton. With the sport attracting greater attention and Indian athletes making their presence felt internationally, expectations have risen.The goal, he said, is to push the country’s medal count even higher.“We want to win more than 10 medals in the Para Asian Games,” Bhagat said, reflecting the confidence within the Indian contingent.The optimism is backed by a broader upward trend in India’s para-sports performance. Bhagat pointed to the country’s growing medal tally, noting that India had crossed the 100-medal mark at the previous Asian Para Games. For him, the progress is evidence of how sustained support, improved facilities and greater visibility can translate into results on the field.He believes the transformation has been particularly noticeable compared with the early days of his career, when govt assistance and public recognition for para badminton were more limited.Bhagat credited the government’s growing involvement and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking a personal interest in para badminton, which he said had helped bring the sport greater recognition and publicity. That visibility, in turn, encouraged private organisations to come forward and support athletes.“When you get good support, and your equipment and training facilities improve, you perform well,” he said.The backing from both the government and the private sector, Bhagat believes, has helped create a stronger ecosystem for para athletes. Better equipment, improved training infrastructure and greater exposure have given players more opportunities to prepare and compete at the highest level. The rising medal count, he said, reflects the difference that such support can make.As India looks to build on its achievements at the continental level, Bhagat’s campaign carries significance beyond the medals he hopes to win. He represents a generation of athletes who have benefited from a changing sporting environment while helping raise the profile of para badminton through their performances.For the veteran shuttler, though, the immediate task remains clear: prepare well, learn from experience and pursue gold. The flag-bearing honour has added another dimension to his campaign, giving him a responsibility that goes beyond his individual events.Bhagat knows that success will not come easily, but he is ready to embrace the challenge. And when he leads the Indian contingent with the tricolour in his hands, the moment will represent more than the achievements of a champion. It will reflect the journey of Indian para badminton, the progress of its athletes and the pride of representing the country.
