The Indian contingent has made a last-minute adjustment to its flag-bearers for the Asian Games opening ceremony. Kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat will replace Tajinderpal Singh Toor, who has not yet received his official kit and will therefore miss the event. Toor was initially selected to lead alongside Manu Bhaker, but this change means Sehrawat will now accompany Bhaker during the ceremony.
Sehrawat to Replace Toor as Flag-Bearer for Indian Kabaddi Team
Sehrawat, a 30-year-old member of the Indian men’s kabaddi team, has been confirmed as one of India’s flag-bearers for the upcoming Asian Games. He takes over the role from Toor, following the announcement made by Chef-de-mission Sahdev Yadav to the news agency PTI. Sehrawat was part of the team that clinched the gold medal at the previous Asian Games, adding to his credentials as a prominent athlete in the sport.
Toor’s Late Notification as Flag-Bearer Complicates Kit Collection
Indian athlete Toor expressed frustration over the late confirmation of his role as the flag-bearer for the upcoming event. Due to this delay, he was unable to address a kit issue in a timely manner. Had he received this information earlier, he believes his coach, who is already in Japan, could have picked up the necessary gear on his behalf, preventing last-minute complications.
Toor explained that he was told his kit would arrive at Nagoya airport only at 3 pm, leaving him with little time to collect it and reach the opening ceremony venue. The athletics team has been training at the University of Tsukuba near Tokyo since September 13 as part of an acclimatisation camp and is scheduled to reach Nagoya on September 21, two days before the start of athletics events. Nobody in the athletics team has got their kits so far,” he revealed.
He said the delay meant he had informed the Indian Olympic Association that he would not be attending the ceremony, and that the athletics team had yet to receive its kits. “I am told that my kit will reach at 3pm at the (Nagoya) airport. So, I have told IOA (Indian Olympic Association) that I am not coming for opening ceremony,” Toor told PTI.
Reaching the opening ceremony venue after collecting my kit from airport on time will be very difficult. “My kit is lying in India. “IOA told me yesterday about me becoming flag-bearer. Otherwise my coach who reached here yesterday could have picked it (the kit) up for me,” he said.
