Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Manu Bhaker Named India Flag-Bearer Amid Asian Games Chaos
Manu Bhaker will carry India’s flag at the Asian Games opening ceremony.
The ceremony is scheduled for Saturday.
Shot-putter Tajinder Pal Singh Toor may carry the other Indian flag.
Before the Games begin, teams usually attend a flag-hoisting welcome event.
India’s ceremony on Friday started 20 minutes late.
It then stopped suddenly because organizers said there was trouble with a team.
The organizers did not explain exactly what had happened.
The event has also faced complaints about late and crowded housing for athletes.
Manu Bhaker will carry India’s flag at Saturday’s Asian Games opening ceremony.
Shot-putter Tajinder Pal Singh Toor is likely to be India’s second flag-bearer.
The traditional flag-hoisting ceremony on Friday was delayed and then abruptly halted.
Organizers said the interruption involved unspecified trouble with one of the teams.
Athletes have also reported delayed, cramped accommodation in container huts, a cruise ship and hotels.
- Who
- Manu Bhaker will be one of India’s flag-bearers; Tajinder Pal Singh Toor is likely to be the other.
- What
- India selected flag-bearers for the Asian Games opening ceremony, while a related flag-hoisting event was delayed and disrupted.
- When
- The disruption occurred on Friday, one day before the opening ceremony scheduled for Saturday.
- Where
- The flag-hoisting ceremony was held at Garden Pier, near the athletes’ container-style accommodation.
- Why
- Organizers said there was unspecified trouble involving a team; the broader event has also faced logistical problems and athlete complaints about accommodation.
Organizers’ account
Athletes’ concerns
Flag-hoisting disruption
Organizers’ account
Local organizers said the event was delayed because there was trouble with a team and said they would try to resume it within 15 minutes.
Athletes’ concerns
The ceremony was abruptly halted, and no specific explanation was provided for what had happened.
Games logistics
Organizers’ account
Organizers arranged accommodation in container-style huts, a docked cruise ship and hotels as a cost-cutting alternative to a traditional Games village.
Athletes’ concerns
Athletes complained that lodging arrangements were delayed and cramped.
- Opening ceremony
- Scheduled for Saturday.
- India’s confirmed flag-bearer
- Manu Bhaker.
- Likely second flag-bearer
- Tajinder Pal Singh Toor.
- Flag-hoisting event
- Involved Yemen, North Korea, Palestine, India and Timor-Leste.
- Initial delay
- The ceremony began 20 minutes late.
- Organizer explanation
- Organizers cited trouble with a team but gave no specific details.
- Accommodation
- Athletes have used container-style huts, a docked cruise ship and hotels.