CWG 2022: Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu to be India flagbearer at opening ceremony

THE Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced that two-time Olympic medal-winning shuttler PV Sindhu will be the flagbearer of the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the UK. The event will take place at the Alexander Stadium on Thursday (28).

Alongside Sindhu, who won medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, two other highly deserving athletes were considered to be a potential flagbearer: weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and boxer Lovlina Borgohain, who also won medals at the Tokyo Games.

A four-member committee, comprising IOA acting president Anil Khanna, IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta, IOA treasurer Anandeshwar Panday, and Team India Chef de Mission Rajesh Bhandari, shortlisted the three athletes. Eventually, Khanna and Mehta selected Sindhu as the flagbearer.

Sindhu won the silver medal at the previous edition of the Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast, Australia, as she lost to compatriot Saina Nehwal in the final. She, however, was part of the gold-winning mixed team that beat Malaysia in the title round.

Khann said, "It is with great pleasure that we announce PV Sindhu as the flagbearer for Team India. The other two athletes, Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain were immensely deserving, too, but we went ahead with Sindhu because she is a two-time Olympic medallist. We expect that Sindhu will continue to do well and perform with excellence at these Games."

"The 2022 edition of the Commonwealth Games has the largest contingent of female athletes in the history of the Games, so the IOA sensed fit that we spotlight our commitment to gender equity, in adherence to the spirit of the Olympic Charter, by shortlisting three women athletes for the prestigious role of Team India's Flagbearer at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. We hope that watching Sindhu lead Team India with the Indian flag in her hand at the Opening Ceremony will inspire millions of girls in India to take up sports."

Mehta said, "We are very happy to select Sindhu as the flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony. We extend our congratulations to her and wish her, and the other athletes of Team India, the very best for the Commonwealth Games."

Besides, Bhandari announced that a maximum of 164 participants can take part from the Indian contingent in the opening ceremony.

"The count of 164 will include athletes and team officials. The final list will be drawn up by this evening, gauging the availability of the athletes," he said.

[With ANI inputs]