A welcoming ceremony for national delegations was held in Japan ahead of the 5th Asian Para Games. Kazakhstan will be represented at the competition by 150 athletes, who will compete in 12 sports. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Welcoming ceremony
During the ceremony, the national flags of the participating countries were raised and national anthems were performed. Representatives of the delegations exchanged commemorative gifts. A cultural program dedicated to Japanese traditions was also prepared for the guests, and the symbols of the upcoming Games were presented.
Dates and venue
The competitions will be held from October 18 to 24, 2026, in Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya. The first events began on October 16 with the para table tennis tournament.
Official opening
The official opening will take place on October 18 at the Mizuho Athletics Stadium in Nagoya. At the parade of delegations, the flag of Kazakhstan will be carried by Dastan Mukashbekov, a bronze medalist of the Paralympic Games in para athletics, and Ayala Mereke, a world champion in para judo.
Mascot and motto of the Games
The mascot of the Games is Uzumin. Its name is derived from the Japanese words uzu — "whirlpool" — and izumi — "spring." The character personifies water and symbolizes perseverance, moving forward and constant development.
The motto of the competition is "IMAGINE ONE HEART." It reflects the ideas of unity, mutual understanding and support, as well as the aspiration to overcome barriers between people and unite society through sport.