The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has chosen PV Sindhu as the flag-bearer of the Indian contingent at CWG 2018 opening ceremony. Indian shuttler and London Olympics bronze medalist Saina Nehwal and London Olympics bronze medalist boxer, MC Mary Kom, were also in contention. However, Sindhu was chosen because of the better medal colour in Olympics and her consistent performance in recent times. The opening ceremony will be held at the Carrara Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia on April 4.
“Sindhu’s achievements are more recent and she is among the best athletes in the country at the moment. Hence, we have chosen her to be the flag-bearer,” an IOA official said.
Sindhu will be the top contender to bag her maiden gold medal at Commonwealth Games. Four years ago in Glasgow, she settled for a bronze following a shock loss to Canada’s Michelle Li. Fortuitously, Sindhu finds herself trailed in a controversy after the sports ministry, on Thursday, demured the inclusion of her mother Vijaya in India’s 330-member contingent.
Sindhu’s mother, who has no role assigned, has been added as an ‘extra official’ in the official team list. The IOA said it has been done following the shuttler’s request. However, the ministry is likely to tell them to travel at no cost to government. Sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore is expected to take a final decision on the issue on Saturday.
In History- India’s flag bearers from past 3 edition
2006 Melbourne: 2004 Athens Olympic silver medalist Cl. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was the flag bearer for India at the opening ceremony. The three times Commonwealth gold medalist is now serving as the sports minister in Union government.
2010 Delhi: 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medalist shooter Abhinav Bindra was the flag bearer for India at the opening ceremony. The four times Commonwealth Gold medalist has now retired and will not represent India in multi sport event.
2014 Glasgow: 2012 London Olympic Silver medalist shooter Vijay Kumar was the flag bearer for India at the opening ceremony. The five times Commonwealth Gold medalist is not a part of the current squad for CWG 2018.
