"Moment Of Immense Pride": Harmanpreet Singh After Being Named Among India's Flag-Bearers For Asian Games Opening Ceremony

Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh on Thursday said it is a "moment of immense pride" for him to have been picked as the country's joint flag-bearer for the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou on Saturday. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Wednesday named Harmanpreet and Olympic medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain as the flag-bearers of the country's 655-member contingent. In the recent past, Dhanraj Pillay (1998, 2002), Jyoti Sunita Kullu (2006), Gagan Narang (2010), Sardar Singh (2014), and Neeraj Chopra (2018) were India's flag-bearers at the in the continental showpiece.

"Being named as the joint flag-bearer alongside Lovlina Borgohain for the Asian Games is a moment of immense pride for me. It is an opportunity to represent my country on an even larger scale, and I am truly humbled by this honour.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our boxing star Lovlina for the same," Harmanpreet said in a Hockey India release.

"I look forward to leading our contingent with all the enthusiasm and determination that has driven me throughout my career. This event is a testament to the unity and diversity of our nation, and I hope to carry our flag with the utmost pride and humility." A key member of the men's team, Harmanpreet played a pivotal role in India's bronze medal-winning campaign at the Tokyo Olympics.

His drag-flicking prowess was on full display in Tokyo, where he emerged as India's top scorer, netting six goals.

Harmanpreet recently led India to the Asian Champions Trophy title in Chennai.

Talking about Indian team's preparation for the Asian Games, which is an Olympic qualifier, Harmapreet said: "We've put in diligent preparation for the tournament, and our