Pakistan announces 234-strong contingent across 23 disciplines for 20th Asian Games in Japan
Pakistan announces 234-strong contingent across 23 disciplines for 20th Asian Games in Japan
By Nawaz Gohar ; The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has officially announced a 234-member national contingent to represent the country at the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
Senior Vice President of the POA, Fatima Lakhani, has been appointed Chef de Mission (CDM) to steer the national delegation across 23 sports disciplines at Asia’s premier multi-sport event, which will gather over 11,000 athletes from 45 nations competing across 43 sports and 469 events.
Pakistan’s campaign will be spearheaded by Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem, who leads the athletics squad as the country’s primary candidate for gold in the javelin throw. The track and field contingent also features sprinter Shajar Abbas, middle-distance runner Ansar Abbas, alongside women athletes Khoula Omer Khan, Noreen Hussain, and Faiqa Riaz.
The shooting team features notable medal prospects, led by Kishmala Talat—who made history at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games by securing Pakistan’s first-ever shooting medal with a bronze in the 10m air pistol. The eight-member squad also includes three-time Olympian Ghulam Mustafa Bashir, reigning Asian Championship skeet gold medalist Farrukh Nadeem, Usman Chand, Imam Haroon, Mohammad Umar, Mohammad Shabbir, and Rabia Kabir.
Cricket returns to the Asian Games roster, with Pakistan fielding strong men’s and women’s squads. The 15-member men’s team, captained by Sahibzada Farhan, features a blend of international experience and emerging talent, including Saim Ayub, Haider Ali, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Moqim, and Arafat Minhas. Matches will take place at the Korogi Athletic Park in Nagoya from September 20 to October 3.
The women’s squad, captained by Fatima Sana Khan, includes Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Nashra Sundhu, Tasmia Rubab, and Aliya Riaz. Their tournament runs from September 17 to 22 in a knockout quarter-final format.
The four-member boxing contingent features Fatima Zahra (60kg), who recently secured Pakistan’s first female Commonwealth Games boxing medal at Glasgow 2026, alongside Maria Rind (51kg) from Lyari, Sumama Rahman (55kg), and international debutant Irfan Khan (92kg).
Despite intensive training at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad since August 24, the boxing squad faces severe financial constraints, with the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) funding only two boxers while the Pakistan Boxing Federation covers the remainder of the delegation.
The 18-member hockey team aims to re-establish its continental standing, while the squash team features proven competitors including Mohammad Hamza Khan, Muhammad Ashab Irfan, Nasir Iqbal, and Noor Zaman in the men’s division, and Mahnoor Ali, Mehwish Ali, Sehrish Ali, and Sana Bahadar in the women’s division. The kabaddi squad comprises 12 players, including Afag Khan, Bilal Khan, and Faizan Ali.
Pakistan will also participate in wushu, taekwondo, swimming, table tennis, tennis, equestrian, esports, fencing, rowing, sailing, soft tennis, triathlon, and volleyball.
The finalization of the contingent follows significant financial hurdles. Budgetary constraints previously prompted the PSB to reduce its proposed funding footprint from 123 to 80 athletes due to resource allocations toward hockey commitments. However, collaborative efforts between the POA, PSB, and national federations ensured a broader delegation. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is independently funding both cricket squads to bypass federal budget restrictions.
Chef de Mission Fatima Lakhani affirmed that the delegation is prepared to uphold high standards of discipline and competitiveness. POA Secretary Khalid Mahmood expressed optimism for the games, noting that the combination of established medal contenders and emerging talent equips Pakistan to build on its sporting legacy at the continental level.
The Asian Games will officially begin with the opening ceremony at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya on September 19, with Pakistani athletes traveling in staggered groups according to their respective competition schedules.
