Indian men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh is immersed in excitement for being named as the co-flag bearer for the Tokyo 2020 opening ceremony.
Manpreet Singh has expressed immense excitement upon being named the flag bearer along with veteran boxer MC May Kom. Manpreet and Mary Kom will jointly lead the Indian contingent at the Tokyo 2020 opening ceremony on July 23.
“This is amazing, and I am speechless,” stated Manpreet when he heard about IOA’s decision.
Manpreet becomes only the 6th hockey player to be named the flag bearer of the Indian contingent for the Olympics’ opening ceremony. In the past, Lal Shah Bokhari (1932 Olympics), Major Dhyan Chand (1936 Olympics), Balbir Singh Sr (1952 & 1956 Olympics), Zafar Iqbal (1984 Olympics) and Pargat Singh (1996 Olympics) have had the honour of being Flag Bearers of the Indian contingent at the Olympic Games opening ceremony.
“I think it’s a huge honour to be named the Flag Bearer for the opening ceremony alongside the incredible Mary Kom. I have always been inspired by her journey in boxing and personally for me, this is a big moment in my career, and it is also a huge moment for hockey,” said the 29-year-old veteran of 269 international appearances for India.
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“I thank the Indian Olympic Association for this great opportunity, and I am looking forward to the responsibility at the Opening Ceremony in Tokyo,” added the charismatic midfielder who will be playing his third Olympic Games.
Congratulating Manpreet Singh, Hockey India president Gyanendro Ningombam said, “Manpreet has been the cynosure of Indian Men’s Hockey Team for many years now and he has led the team to some significant victories as the Captain in the past couple of years including the Asia Cup triumph and Bronze medal at the FIH World League Final in Bhubaneswar 2017 apart from playing a significant role in the team’s qualification for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
“We at Hockey India are very proud that the IOA has named Manpreet along with Mary Kom as the Flag Bearers of the Indian contingent for the opening ceremony at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. I congratulate Manpreet and also wish him and the team the very best for their campaign in Tokyo.”
The Indian contingent is expected to consist of 126 athletes and 75 officials.
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