Pakistan’s women’s cricket captain Fatima Sana and rising squash player Noor Zaman led the country’s delegation at the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday.
The duo carried Pakistan’s national flag as the country joined athletes from across Asia at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium.
The 20th Asian Games officially opened on September 19 and will continue until October 4. Japan’s Emperor Naruhito formally declared the Games open during the ceremony.
Pakistan to Compete in 23 Sports
According to the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), Pakistan is represented by a contingent of 246 athletes and officials across 23 disciplines.
The sports include cricket, squash, hockey, athletics, esports, wrestling, boxing, swimming, shooting, kabaddi and other events.
Pakistan’s teams have travelled to Japan in different groups based on their respective competition schedules.
The opening ceremony was attended by delegations from 45 countries and territories.
Fatima Sana and Noor Zaman Carry National Flag
Fatima Sana was selected as a flag bearer following her role as captain of Pakistan’s national women’s cricket team.
Noor Zaman was chosen alongside her as the representative from Pakistan’s squash contingent.
The Pakistan Olympic Association announced their selection ahead of the opening ceremony, saying the two athletes would lead the Pakistani delegation into the event.
Asian Games Open in Nagoya
The opening ceremony featured music, dance, fireworks and a heart-shaped central stage.
The event carried a message of Asian unity following a difficult build-up marked by logistical challenges.
Organisers faced accommodation and transportation issues because of the large number of participants. More than 11,000 athletes and thousands of officials are taking part.
Instead of a traditional athletes’ village, participants are staying in hotels, temporary accommodation and a cruise ship.
Heavy rainfall had also caused flooding in parts of Nagoya, while weather conditions remained a concern ahead of the Games.
Competition Underway Across More Than 40 Sports
Several competitions, including cricket, football and basketball, had already begun before the formal opening ceremony because of the packed schedule.
The Games feature 43 sports and 369 gold-medal events, with new and emerging disciplines also included.
MMA, padel and other newer sports are part of the programme, alongside established Asian Games events such as athletics, swimming, hockey and squash.
The first gold medals of the Games are expected to be decided in triathlon on Sunday.
Pakistan will now compete across its 23 disciplines as the Asian Games continue in Aichi-Nagoya.
