ASIAN GAMES 2010 – Saina stand-by Flag bearer?

At the flag-raising for India in the Athletes’ Village of the Asian Games, India Olympic  Committe President told the Indian press that Saina Nehwal could be the flag bearer if the original plan of having Ace shooter Gagan Narang was changed.

“We want Gagan Narang to be the flag-bearer at the opening ceremony but in case he is unable to do so, and we have left it to him to decide on it, then Saina would do the honour. She has been kept as the stand by,” Suresh Kalmadi told Daily News and Analysis.

The 4-time gold medallist from the Delhi Commonwealth Games is competing in the early morning following the Opening Ceremony, hence the possible change. According to DNA, the Indian contingent’s chef-de-mission Abhay Singh Chautala said he had talked to Gagan the previous day and hadn’t been notified of a change of mind from the shooter.

On another note, Randhir Singh, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary-general, took the opportunity to make official the bid of India for for the event in 2019.