Cambodia has sent a 31-member delegation to the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, with 17 athletes set to compete across five sports disciplines from October 18 to 24. Led by Samheng Boros, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister and head of the Cambodian Paralympic delegation, the team attended the Games’ opening ceremony on October 18 alongside sporting contingents from across Asia.
The participation gives Cambodian para-athletes an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities on a continental stage, with the Cambodian wheelchair basketball team qualifying directly for the competition and athletes in four other sports receiving wildcard quotas.
Key Facts
Event: 2026 Asian Para Games
Host city: Nagoya, Japan
Games dates: October 18–24, 2026
Cambodian delegation: 31 members
Athletes: 17
Sports: Five disciplines
Delegation leader: Samheng Boros, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister
Direct qualification: Cambodian wheelchair basketball team
Wildcard entries: Athletes in table tennis, athletics, swimming and boccia
Cambodian Delegation Attends Opening Ceremony in Nagoya
The Cambodian Paralympic delegation officially attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Para Games on October 18 in Nagoya, Japan.
According to the Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) report, the ceremony was attended by Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, alongside representatives and athletes from across Asia.
The Cambodian delegation comprises officials, coaches and athletes, with Samheng Boros leading the team.
The Asian Para Games provide a continental platform for athletes with disabilities to compete in their respective sports and represent their countries in international competition.
Seventeen Cambodian Athletes to Compete in Five Sports
Cambodia has entered 17 athletes across five disciplines at the Games:
Wheelchair basketball
Table tennis
Athletics
Swimming
Boccia
The delegation also includes officials and coaches supporting the athletes during the competition.
The Cambodian wheelchair basketball team secured its place through direct qualification. Athletes competing in the other four disciplines received wildcard quotas, according to the report.
The source did not specify the number of Cambodian athletes entered in each discipline, individual athlete names, competition schedules or medal targets.
Delegation Leader Calls for National Support
Samheng Boros expressed pride in representing Cambodia at the continental sporting event.
He said the Games provide an important opportunity to showcase the capabilities and determination of Cambodian athletes on the international stage. He also called on the Cambodian public to support and cheer for the national team during its competitions.
National support can help raise the visibility of para-sports and recognise the dedication required for athletes to prepare for international events.
Cambodia’s participation also provides an opportunity to highlight the role of athletes with disabilities in the country’s sporting community.
Angkor Times Analysis
Cambodia’s participation in the 2026 Asian Para Games represents an opportunity to strengthen the visibility of para-sports and provide its athletes with experience competing against other Asian delegations.
The team’s participation across five disciplines also demonstrates the range of sports in which Cambodian athletes are represented at the Games. The wheelchair basketball team’s direct qualification distinguishes its route to participation from the wildcard entries awarded in the other four disciplines.
However, the delegation’s size and participation alone do not indicate likely medal results or long-term improvements in the country’s para-sports system. Assessing progress would require further information about competition outcomes, athlete development, training opportunities and support programmes.
Following the Games, reporting on individual performances and results would help Cambodian audiences better understand the achievements of the athletes and the development of para-sports in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When are the 2026 Asian Para Games being held?
The Games are scheduled for October 18–24, 2026, in Nagoya, Japan.
2. How many people are in Cambodia’s delegation?
Cambodia has sent a 31-member delegation, including 17 athletes, officials and coaches.
3. Who leads the Cambodian delegation?
The delegation is led by Samheng Boros, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister and head of the Cambodian Paralympic delegation.
4. Which sports will Cambodian athletes compete in?
Cambodia will participate in wheelchair basketball, table tennis, athletics, swimming and boccia.
5. How did Cambodia qualify for the competitions?
The Cambodian wheelchair basketball team qualified directly. Athletes in table tennis, athletics, swimming and boccia received wildcard quotas.
6. Where was the opening ceremony held?
The opening ceremony took place in Nagoya, Japan, on October 18, 2026. Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended the ceremony, according to AKP.
7. What message did the delegation leader deliver?
Samheng Boros expressed pride in representing Cambodia and encouraged the Cambodian public to support the national athletes during their competitions.