PANAJI: Boxing legend MC Mary Kom and Indian hockey team captain Manpreet Singh will be the Flag-Bearers for the Indian Contingent at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games opening ceremony on July 23. Wrestler Bajrang Punia will be the flag-bearer at the closing ceremony on August 8. Meanwhile, this will be the first time that India will have two flag-bearers at an Olympics opening ceremony.
“This is amazing, and I am speechless,” Manpreet is quoted as saying in a Hockey India press release after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced the decision.
Manpreet becomes only the 6th hockey player to be named the Flag-Bearer of the Indian contingent for the opening ceremony at the Olympic Games. In the past, Lal Shah Bhokari (1932 Olympics), Major Dhyan Chand (1936 Olympics), Balbir Singh Sr (1952 & 1956 Olympics), Zafar Iqbal (1984 Olympics) and Pargat Singh (1996 Olympics) have had the honour of being Flag-Bearers of the Indian contingent at the Olympic Games opening ceremony.
The 29-year-old Manpreet who has amassed 269 international caps further went on to state that this is a huge moment not only for him but also for Indian hockey. “I think it’s a huge honour to be named the Flag-Bearer for the opening ceremony alongside the incredible Mary Kom. I have always been inspired by her journey in boxing and personally for me, this is a big moment in my career, and it is also a huge moment for hockey. I thank the Indian Olympic Association for this great opportunity, and I am looking forward to the responsibility at the Opening Ceremony in Tokyo,” added the charismatic midfielder who will be playing his third Olympic Games.
According to the IOA, the Indian Contingent comprises around 126 athletes and 75 officials with the total members in the region of around 201. The contingent’s 56 percent is male while remainder 44 percent is made up of women. The Tokyo-bound ‘Team India’ has secured 78 quota places and the Indian contingent will compete in about 85 medal positions.
