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Star Indian shuttler PV Sindhu has been named India's flagbearer for the Commonwealth Games 2022 opening ceremony on Wednesday. The same was confirmed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) official. A total of 164 members from the Indian contingent are set to take part in the opening ceremony of the Birmingham Games which will be held on Thursday.

Sindhu is not only a two-time Olympic medallist but is a former world champion. Notably, even in the last Commonwealth Games in 2018, Sindhu had been chosen to be India's flagbearer. An official statement released by IOA confirms that Sindhu was chosen over Olympic medallists weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and boxer Lovlina Borgohain.

Furthermore, a four-member committee that comprised of IOA Acting President Anil Khanna, IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, IOA Treasurer Anandeshwar Panday, and Team India Chef de Mission Rajesh Bhandari shortlisted the three-member list. However, the final vote went to Sindhu.

"It is with great pleasure that we announce PV Sindhu as the Flagbearer for Team India. The other two athletes, Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain were immensely deserving, too, but we went ahead with Sindhu because she is a two-time Olympic medallist. We expect that Sindhu will continue to do well and perform with excellence at these Games," Khanna said.

"The 2022 edition of the Commonwealth Games has the largest contingent of female athletes in the history of the Games, so the IOA sensed fit that we spotlight our commitment to gender equity, in adherence to the spirit of the Olympic Charter, by shortlisting three women athletes for the prestigious role of Team India's Flagbearer at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. We hope that watching Sindhu lead Team India with the Indian flag in her hand at the Opening Ceremony will inspire millions of girls in India to take up sports," he added.