Jalandhar's village Mithapur has scripted another historyin the field of sports. This is the first chance that a village in the countryhas given two players to lead the Indian team during the Olympic Games.
Giving the information, Punjab Hockey President NitinKohli and Senior Vice President Harpreet Singh Mander (Olympian) said thatIndian hockey team captain Manpreet Singh, in the Olympic Games, starting July23 in Tokyo (Japan) has been selected to carry the country's tricolor flag to representthe nation.
Manpreet’s selection to carry the country’s tricolor is aproud thing for Punjab hockey, all Punjabis, and all sports lovers.
Pertinently, Manpreet hails from the village of former IndianHockey player and now Congress MLA Pargat Singh.
Olympian Pargat Singh who led the Indian hockey team in the1996 Atlanta Olympic Games had also picked up the tricolor leading the Indian Olympicteam and brought fame to Punjab.
The 29-year-old midfielder became only the sixth hockeyplayer to be named the flag bearer of the Indian contingent for the openingceremony at the Olympic Games.
Notably, alongside Manpreet, multiple-times worldchampion boxer and London Olympics bronze medallist, MC Mary Kom will also bearthe flag at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 23.
"This is amazing, and I am speechless. It's a huge honor to be named the flag bearer for the opening ceremony alongside theincredible Mary Kom. I have always been inspired by her journey in boxing andpersonally, for me, this is a big moment in my career, and it is also a hugemoment for hockey.
"I thank the Indian Olympic Association for thisgreat opportunity and I am looking forward to the responsibility at theopening ceremony in Tokyo" added the midfielder, who will be playing histhird Olympics.