Cairo (Egypt) — India’s top para-badminton stars Pramod Bhagat and Sukant Kadam have begun their 2026 campaign in style at the Egypt Para Badminton International in Cairo, where competition runs from January 13–18.
The SL3 and SL4 stalwarts stepped onto the court this week in both men’s singles and men’s doubles, aiming to set a strong tone for a season that offers several major international events ahead. With robust global participation expected, the tournament presents an ideal early test for form, rhythm, and tactics.
“Starting the year with an international tournament like Egypt is very important for building rhythm,” said the 2020 Paralympic medallist Pramod Bhagat, underlining the importance of early-season competition. “The focus is on staying disciplined, trusting the preparation, and taking each match as it comes.”
Echoing this sentiment, Sukant Kadam added: “Early tournaments are important to understand where we stand and to work on the areas that need improvement.” He emphasized his aim to stay consistent and push performance levels higher as the season unfolds.
Both Bhagat and Kadam carry rich experience on the international circuit — Pramod as a para-badminton veteran and Tokyo medallist, and Sukant as a former world No. 1 in SL4 — making them key figures in India’s hopes for the year.
What’s next: Following the Egypt event, players will soon turn their focus to other marquee tournaments in the 2026 calendar, with eyes on strong performances and ranking boosts.
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