OTTplay Logo
settings icon
profile icon

Asian Games opening ceremony: Harmanpreet Singh and Lovlina Borgohain named India's flag-bearers

In the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra had the privilege of performing the honours during the opening ceremony.

Asian Games opening ceremony: Harmanpreet Singh and Lovlina Borgohain named India's flag-bearers
Harmanpreet Singh and Lovlina Borgohain

Last Updated: 02.31 PM, Sep 21, 2023

Share

Hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and Olympic medal-winning boxer Lovlina Borgohain have been chosen as the co-flag-bearers for the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Hangzhou on September 23. The decision to have joint flag-bearers for the prestigious continental event was made by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Wednesday. 

This year, a record-breaking contingent of 655 Indian athletes will be participating in the Asian Games, making it the largest Indian contingent in the history of the games.

"We arrived at the decision after much deliberation today," Indian contingent Chef de Mission Bhupender Singh Bajwa said, according to PTI.

"This time we will have two flag-bearers leading the contingent at the Asian Games — hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and boxer Lovlina Borgohain," added Bajwa, who is also Wushu Association of India chief.

Bajwa is also the chairman of the Indian Olympic Association-constituted ad-hoc committee for wrestling.

Lovlina secured a bronze medal in the 69kg category at the Tokyo Olympics. This year, she achieved gold in the 75kg category at the World Women's Boxing Championship held in New Delhi.

Harmanpreet is renowned as one of the world's finest drag-flickers and was a vital part of the historic bronze-winning team at the Tokyo Olympics, ending a more than four-decade-long medal drought for the Indian hockey team at the Olympics.

The Indian men's hockey team has set its sights on a gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games, aiming to secure automatic qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Bajwa will receive support at the Asian Games from four deputy chefs de mission, given the significant responsibilities associated with the role.

In the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra had the privilege of performing the honours during the opening ceremony.

      Get the latest updates in your inbox
      Subscribe