02 October,2010 08:11 AM IST | | Agencies
Confusion reigned supreme at the press conference that was held yesterday to announce the flag and baton bearers of the Indian contingent for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games tomorrow.
Indian contingent Chef de Mission Bhubneswar Kalita first announced the name of Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra as the flag bearer.
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He then announced the names of Saina Nehwal, Sushil Kumar, Vijender Singh, Akhil Kumar, MC Mary Kom and Samresh Jung as baton bearers.
Abhinav Bindra will lead the 619-member strong Indian contingent in the grand ceremony tomorrow
But later, when asked by reporters to repeat the names of baton bearers, he included the name of Bindra and left out Akhil.
Asked what led to the confusion, Kalita said, "Akhil's name was there in the list which was SMSed to me before I came here. But in the list written on paper Bindra's name is there and not Akhil's."
Organising Committeeu00a0 vice-chairman and IOA General Secretary Randhir Singh, who was present at the conference, said Bindra's name might not be there as it would not be possible for the same person to do both the jobs of being a flag bearer as well as baton bearer.
"Please don't confuse Kalita any more, he is already troubled with many things," a visibly unamused Randhir said.
Amid all the confusion, Vijender and Akhil, who were also present, remained mute spectators.
Bindra to carry the Tricolour
Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra will carry the Indian flag during the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. The 28-year-old ace shooter will lead a 619-member strong contingent 379 men and 240 womenu00a0 in the grand ceremony scheduled to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.
