PV Sindhu and Manpreet Singh to hold the Indian flag in opening ceremony of CWG 2022

Manpreet Singh, the captain of India’s men’s hockey team, and shuttler PV Sindhu have been appointed as the country’s flag carriers for the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022 opening ceremony.

From July 28th to August 8th, Birmingham (England) will host the CWG. Both Manpreet and Sindhu have previously led Indian delegations at various stages. While Manpreet led India’s flag at the Tokyo Olympics’ opening ceremony, Sindhu led her nation at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) initially chose Sindhu as India’s flagbearer on Wednesday, but added Manpreet’s name after the organisers informed them that one man and one female were required for the role.

“Men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh will be India’s flag bearer in the openings of the #CommonwealthGames2022 which held in Birmingham, partnering shuttler PV Sindhu,” ANI News Agency tweeted.

Sindhu expressed her satisfaction by saying: “It’s an honour to be tasked with leading the contingent and flying the flag at such an important event. I’m overjoyed, and I wish everyone in my contingent the best of luck in the Games. I would also like to thank the IOA for selecting me as the flag-bearer.”

IOA selects PV Sindhu after Neeraj Chopra Injury

Sindhu was appointed India’s flag-bearer for the CWG 2022 Birmingham opening ceremony at the Alexander Stadium, after Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Neeraj Chopra was ruled out due to an injury he sustained at the World Athletics Championships, where he won silver and became India’s second medalist after former long jumper Anju Bobby George.

“The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is happy to name shuttler PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, as Team India’s Flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony,” according to an IOA release.

“Olympic medalist boxer Lovlina Borgohain & weightlifter Mirabai Chanu were two more very admirable athletes considered for Team India’s Flagbearer.”

Sindhu took bronze in the Olympics in Tokyo. She recently won her third final at the Singapore Open. Sindhu’s Commonwealth Games 2022 campaign will begin on August 3. Meanwhile, Manpreet guided India to a record bronze medal at the Olympics in Tokyo. The Indian men’s hockey team will open their CWG campaign on July 31 against Ghana.

Meanwhile, Neeraj voiced his regret at missing out on the chance to lead India at the CWG opening ceremony, saying, “… I am hurt over not being able to defend my championship & missing out on another chance to represent the country.” I’m most disappointed that I didn’t get to be Team India’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony, an honour I was looking forward to in a few days.”