Chandigarh: For Ajeya Raj and Anjali Devi, the road to the 2026 Para Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, has been defined by resilience in a sport that remains unfamiliar to many Indians.
The two boccia athletes of BC3 category, along with their ramp operators, secured selection for the Indian contingent after impressive performances at the national trials held at the Sector 8 sports complex in Chandigarh. Four other players were also shortlisted for the national coaching camp scheduled from September 20 to October 15 this year.
Understanding Boccia
Boccia is a precision ball sport designed specifically for athletes with severe physical disabilities. While it may appear simple at first glance, the intricacies of the game become evident only when one watches a match unfold.
For athletes competing in ramp-assisted categories, every shot requires careful calculation. The ramp must be adjusted to a precise angle while accounting for speed, direction, and trajectory. One spectator at the Chandigarh trials compared the challenge to “firing a mortar round.”
Boccia is recognized as one of the 22 official sports in the Paralympic movement. Although the sport was introduced in India in 2016, limited awareness and infrastructure have prevented it from gaining widespread popularity. In boccia, players throw, kick, or use assistive ramps to propel leather balls towards a white target ball known as the jack. The objective is to place one’s colored balls as close to the jack as possible. The team whose ball lies furthest from the target continues to play until they improve their position or exhaust their allotted balls. Beyond accuracy, tactics play a crucial role, with players often blocking opponents or knocking the jack and rival balls into more favorable positions.
Ajeya Raj's Journey
For 34-year-old Ajeya Raj, the selection is magical. “I had never imagined I would get this opportunity,” Ajeya said. “In every national championship, I used to lose to Sachin Chamaria. I was stuck at silver. But at these trials, I achieved something special. This will be my first Asian Games.”
Ajeya plans to make the most of the national camp and high-performance coaching opportunities ahead of Nagoya. The achievement has also become a matter of pride for his family and hometown. Ajeya is set to become the first athlete from his village, Garhwa in Jharkhand, to represent India at the Asian Games. “This came as a surprise for my family as well. They have seen me play international matches before, but the Asian Games is a big name in itself,” he said.
Anjali Devi's Determination
For Anjali Devi, 26, from Himachal Pradesh, a spinal injury sustained in an accident at the age of 18 forced her to discontinue her studies after Class 12. For a period, life appeared to come to a standstill. Her journey began at a spinal rehabilitation center in Chandigarh, where she met Ajeya Raj, who introduced her to boccia in 2023. Just three years later, she has secured her place on India’s Para Asian Games team for the second time.
“It’s an indescribable feeling. Every athlete dreams of wearing India on their jersey,” Anjali said. “For me, it’s even more special because of the path it took to get here. There’s a lot of pride, responsibility, and gratitude. I’m carrying the hopes of every person who believes in me, and every para athlete fighting to be seen.”
Currently training at the mini sports complex in Chandigarh, she said, “My routine is a mix of on-court boccia sessions for precision and tactics, match simulations, mental preparation, and physiotherapy for strength.” Her family, she added, has been her strongest support system. “They’ve seen the whole journey. I used to dream about this, but there were days when it felt impossible. But we didn’t quit. So this moment is as much theirs as it is mine.”
