Despite the suspension of star para-shuttler Pramod Bhagat, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) president Devendra Jhajharia remains optimistic about India’s prospects at the upcoming Paris Paralympics. Jhajharia expressed confidence that the Indian contingent would achieve its ambitious target of securing at least 25 medals, even as the absence of Bhagat casts a shadow over the team.

The Indian contingent, consisting of 84 athletes across 12 disciplines, is set to compete in the Paralympics scheduled in Paris from August 28 to September 8. Bhagat, a gold medallist at the Tokyo Paralympics and a five-time para world champion was recently handed an 18-month suspension by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for violating anti-doping regulations, making him ineligible for the Paris Games.

Speaking to PTI Bhasha, Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympics gold medal-winning javelin thrower, acknowledged the significance of Bhagat’s absence but reiterated that the medal target remains unaffected. “Pramod Bhagat is undoubtedly a star athlete, but our target of 25 medals is based on the current contingent of 84 players. Pramod Bhagat is not included in this calculation,” he said. “His absence is unfortunate, but we cannot do anything about it.”

Jhajharia, who has been closely monitoring the athletes’ preparations, expressed confidence in the team’s abilities. “You may think I am exaggerating, but I have seen the practice sessions of our players. We have worked hard on their physical fitness and mental strength,” he asserted. India ranked 24th at the Tokyo Paralympics, bringing home 19 medals, including five gold. This time, the PCI has set its sights on improving that tally and breaking into the top 20 in the medal standings.

The Indian contingent for Paris is larger than the previous Games, with athletes competing in new disciplines, including Blind Judo, Para Sailing, and Para Cycling. Jhajharia expects the athletics team to deliver the highest number of medals. “We have 38 track and field athletes, and I am expecting the most medals from them,” he said.

Additionally, the contingent features 47 debutants, and Jhajharia hopes new stars will emerge. “Despite this being their first Paralympic Games, these players are very confident and mentally strong,” he added.

Bhagat’s suspension, announced by the BWF earlier this week, followed a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Anti-Doping Division, which found him in breach of anti-doping regulations due to three whereabouts failures within 12 months. Bhagat’s appeal to the CAS Appeals Division was rejected last month.