Due to changes in plans, the last replacement among the bearers of the Indian delegation's flag has occurred before the opening ceremony of the Asian Games. Instead of the experienced javelin thrower Tajindrapal Singh Thura, Pawan Sahrawat, a Kabaddi star, will now lead the Indian team.
Initially, Thura was appointed as the flag bearer for India alongside Manu Bhaker. Pawan Sahrawat, who is 30 years old, was previously part of the men's Kabaddi team that won a gold medal at the last Asian Games. Now, this responsibility has been assigned to him instead of Thura.
Chief Mission Sadhev Yadav confirmed this information to PTI. Thura reported that his official equipment set is still in India and will arrive at Nagoya Airport on September 19th at 15:00. He noted that due to this, it will be difficult to get from the airport to the opening ceremony venue on time.
Thura stated that he informed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about his absence from the opening ceremony. He also mentioned that the athletic team has not yet received its equipment. According to Thura, if he had learned about being named flag bearer earlier than Friday, his coaches could have taken necessary measures, as they arrived in Nagoya a day earlier and could have collected the equipment for him.
Currently, the Indian athletic team is undergoing an acclimatization camp at Tsukuba University, near Tokyo, since September 13th. The team will arrive in Nagoya on September 21st, and the sporting events will begin on September 23rd. Due to Thura's absence from the opening ceremony, Pawan Sahrawat will now hold the national flag together with Manu Bhaker.