Tajinderpal Singh Toor will be replaced by kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat as male flagbearer

India has changed its male flagbearer for Saturday’s Asian Games opening ceremony in Nagoya, Japan, after shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor was unable to attend because he had not received his official ceremonial kit.

Kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat will replace Toor as the male flagbearer. Shooter Manu Bhaker, a two-time bronze medallist at the Paris Olympics, will carry the women’s flag.

Toor, who is targeting a third consecutive Asian Games gold medal in the shot put, said his kit was expected to arrive at the airport at 3pm, making it difficult for him to reach the opening ceremony on time.

“I’m told that my kit will reach at 3pm at the airport. Reaching the opening ceremony venue after collecting my kit from the airport on time will be very difficult,” Toor was quoted as saying by PTI.

He said the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had informed him only a day earlier that he would be the flagbearer. His coach, who had already arrived in Japan, could have collected the kit had he known earlier.

The IOA said Toor, 31, would miss the ceremony as India’s flagbearer due to a “technical issue.”