3 hrs ago
Pawan Sehrawat Replaces Tajinderpal Toor as Asian Games Flag-Bearer
India changed one of its flag-bearers before the Asian Games opening ceremony.
Shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor was originally chosen for the role.
Kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat replaced him.
Toor said his ceremonial clothes had not arrived with him.
He expected the kit to reach Nagoya airport at 3 p.m.
He said there would not be enough time to collect it and reach the ceremony.
The Indian Olympic Association described the reason as technical issues.
Shooting athlete Manu Bhaker was still expected to be the other flag-bearer.
Pawan Sehrawat replaced shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor as India’s male flag-bearer.
Toor said his ceremonial kit would arrive at Nagoya airport at 3 p.m.
He said reaching the opening ceremony after collecting the kit would be difficult.
The Indian Olympic Association officially cited technical issues for the last-minute change.
Manu Bhaker remained scheduled to lead India’s contingent as the female flag-bearer.
- Who
- Kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat replaced shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor; Manu Bhaker was also scheduled to be a flag-bearer.
- What
- India changed its male flag-bearer for the Asian Games opening ceremony.
- Where
- The ceremony was scheduled in Nagoya, Japan.
- When
- The change was made before the opening ceremony on Saturday.
- Why
- The Indian Olympic Association cited technical issues, while Toor and a Press Trust of India report linked the change to his delayed ceremonial kit.
Official explanation
Reported explanation
Reason for the replacement
Official explanation
The Indian Olympic Association said technical issues prevented Tajinderpal Singh Toor from serving as flag-bearer.
Reported explanation
Toor said his ceremonial kit was still in India and was due to reach Nagoya airport at 3 p.m.; Press Trust of India reported that the delayed kit would prevent him from attending the ceremony.
Athletics team arrangements
Official explanation
The athletics team was not expected to attend the opening ceremony because it was training near Tokyo and scheduled to reach Nagoya later.
Reported explanation
The absence of ceremonial kits from the athletics team’s luggage was attributed to those travel arrangements, although the team had received its official competition kits.
Key facts
- Original male flag-bearer
- Tajinderpal Singh Toor
- Replacement male flag-bearer
- Pawan Sehrawat
- Female flag-bearer
- Manu Bhaker
- Event
- Asian Games opening ceremony
- Location
- Nagoya, Japan
- Reported issue
- Toor had not received his ceremonial kit before the ceremony
Quotes
Indian Olympic Association
The national sports body that confirmed the flagbearer change
“I am told that my ceremonial kit will reach at 3pm at the (Nagoya) airport. Reaching the opening ceremony venue after collecting my (ceremonial) kit from airport on time will be very difficult. So, I have told IOA (Indian Olympic Association) that I am not coming for opening ceremony.”
theprint.in
freepressjournal.in
“Due to technical issues, Tajinderpal Singh Toor will not be able to be India’s flagbearer. Pawan Sehrawat will be India’s male flagbearer today.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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