Manu Bhaker named India's flag bearer for Youth Olympics

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Teenage shooter Manu Bhaker has been named as the flag-bearer of the Indian contingent in the opening ceremony of the 3rd Youth Olympic Games which is set to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina from October 6-18. India is sending 46 athletes to compete across 13 sports in this prestigious event.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Narinder Batra has announced Manu Barker as the Flagbearer of the Indian Contingent during the send-off ceremony. Bhaker, who had won gold in 10m air pistol at Guadalajara World Cup as well as Commonwealth Games, will be among top medal contenders for India at the Youth Olympics.

"It is a great honour for me. I never expected to be the flag-bearer for the Indian contingent," Manu told PTI.

Other medal contenders include CWG and World Championship silver medallist shooter Mehuli Ghosh, Asian Games champion marksman Saurabh Chaudhary and Asian junior badminton champion Lakshya Sen.

This will be India's largest ever contingent at the Youth Olympics.  A contingent of 68 members, including 46 athletes, will depart for Argentina to compete in 13 sports during the prestigious event. Hockey 5’s will have the most representation with a total of 16 players, nine each in men's and women's team. The track and field events have seven athletes while shooting will be represented by fou. Recurve archery, badminton, swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, and rowing are all represented by two participants each.  Boxing, judo, and sports climbing have solo representation each.

Goa Olympic Association secretary Gurudutta D Bhakta who is the Chef-de-Mission wished the players make their nation proud and said, "It gives me immense pleasure to announce the young athletes' participation in the Youth Olympic Games. May the Indian flag fly high and our athletes bring laurels for the country," Bhakta said.

"Gone are the days when Indians participated in big multi-sport events just for the sake of participation. I know you all will give your best and bring medals for the country. Stay focused, be disciplined as you are ambassadors of the country. No one should do anything which can tarnish the image of the country. I wish you all the best," Sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said during the send-off celebration. 

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