(Sports news) The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is delighted to announce shuttler Ms PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, as the Flagbearer of Team India at the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.  Alongside Ms Sindhu, who medalled at the Rio 2016 Olympics and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, two other highly deserving athletes were considered to be Team India's Flagbearer: weightlifter Ms Mirabai Chanu and boxer Ms Lovlina Borgohain, who are both Olympic medallists.

A four-member committee, comprising IOA Acting President Mr Anil Khanna, IOA Secretary General Mr Rajeev Mehta, IOA Treasurer Mr Anandeshwar Panday, and Team India Chef de Mission Mr Rajesh Bhandari, shortlisted the three athletes. Eventually, Mr Khanna and Mr Mehta selected Ms Sindhu as the Flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony.

Mr Anil Khanna, IOA Acting President: "It's with great pleasure that we announce PV Sindhu as the Flagbearer for Team India. The other two athletes, Ms Chanu and Ms Borgohain, were immensely deserving, too, but we went ahead with Ms Sindhu because she is a two-time Olympic medallist. We expect Ms Sindhu will continue to do well and perform with excellence at these Games.

"The 2022 edition of the Commonwealth Games has the largest contingent of female athletes in the history of the Games, so the IOA sensed fit that we spotlight our commitment to gender equity, in adherence to the spirit of the Olympic Charter, by shortlisting three women athletes for the prestigious role of Team India's Flagbearer at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. We hope that watching Ms Sindhu lead Team India with the Indian flag in her hand at the Opening Ceremony will inspire millions of girls in India to take up sports."

Mr Rajeev Mehta, IOA Secretary General: “We are very happy to select Ms Sindhu as the Flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony. We extend our congratulations to her and wish her, and the other athletes of Team India, the very best for the Commonwealth Games."

In addition, Mr Rajesh Bhandari, Team India Chef de Mission, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, announced that a maximum of 164 participants can take part from the Indian contingent in the Parade of Nations in the Opening Ceremony, scheduled for July 28, 2022. “The count of 164 will include athletes and team officials. The final list will be drawn up by this evening, gauging the availability of the athletes," said Mr Bhandari.

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