Star shuttler P V Sindhu has been named the flag-bearer of the Indian contingent for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast in April.
According to sources in the Indian Olympic Association, 2016 Olympic silver medallist Sindhu’s rising stature in recent years clinched the issue in her favour for the coveted position. Sindhu also won a World Championship silver in 2017. The opening ceremony will be held on April 4.
Having won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics, the Hyderabad-based World No. 3 Sindhu is one of the favourites to win the badminton women’s singles title in Gold Coast. In the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014, Sindhu bagged a bronze in women’s singles.
In the last three Commonwealth Games, the prestigious position during the march past of the opening ceremony had always gone to a member of the shooting squad. While pistol shooter Vijay Kumar was the flag-bearer in 2014, 2008 Olympic champion shooter Abhinav Bindra had the honour when India hosted the Games in 2010.
In 2006 Melbourne Games, India’s flag-bearer was double trap shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who is currently the sports minister.