Flag bearer changed due to outfit issue

Shooter Manu Bhaker and shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor were scheduled to carry India’s national flag at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday. However, Tajinderpal withdrew at the last moment due to an issue with his outfit. Kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat marched alongside Bhaker carrying India’s national flag instead.

Tajinderpal told news agency PTI, “I was informed that my official outfit would arrive at the airport at 3 pm. It is impossible to collect the outfit from the airport and reach the opening ceremony venue on time. So, I informed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) that I would not attend the opening ceremony.”

He added, “The IOA informed me on Friday that I would be carrying the flag. If I had been informed earlier, my coach could have brought the outfit. My coach arrived in Japan on Friday. It is not possible to make the change now because I was informed at the last moment.”

The IOA said in a statement that 31-year-old Tajinderpal Singh Toor could not serve as India’s flag bearer “due to a technical issue.”