India changes Asian Games flag-bearer over uniform delay — Channel NewsAsia
India has changed its male flag-bearer for the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. According to media reports, shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor will be unable to take part in the event because he did not receive the official ceremonial uniform set.
New flag-bearer
Instead of Toor, kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat will be the male flag-bearer of the Indian delegation at the opening ceremony. Shooter Manu Bhaker, who won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, will be the female flag-bearer.
As Channel NewsAsia reports, Toor said that his uniform set remained in India and was due to arrive at the airport at 15:00. According to the athlete, after receiving the uniform, he would hardly have had time to reach the opening ceremony venue on time.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Olympic association's explanation
Toor also noted that he was informed of his appointment as flag-bearer only the day before. He said that if he had known about it earlier, his coach, who arrived in Japan a day earlier, could have collected the set.
The Indian Olympic Association said in a statement that 31-year-old Toor would be unable to serve as flag-bearer due to a technical problem. The athlete is seeking to win his third consecutive Asian Games gold medal in the shot put.
