Birmingham: Ace shuttler PV Sindhu will be Flagbearer of Team India at the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced.
"It's with great pleasure that we announce PV Sindhu as the Flagbearer for Team India," said Anil Khanna, IOA Acting President.
The IOC said that alongside Sindhu highly deserving athletes were considered to be Team India's Flagbearer: weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and boxer Lovlina Borgohain, who are both Olympic medallists.
"The 2022 edition of the CWG 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" he added.
"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 for the Opening Ceremony," IOA said in a statement.
Team India Chef de Mission at CWG, Rajesh Bhandari announced that a maximum of 164 participants can take part from the Indian contingent in the Parade of Nations in the Opening Ceremony, scheduled for July 28.
"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," Bhandari said. (UNI)