Big honour to lead India in Asiad opening ceremony: Sardar

The honour to carry India’s flag in the opening ceremony of 17th Asian Games couldn’t have come at a better time for hockey team skipper Sardar Singh, who feels it will not only spur him but the entire squad to break its 16-year gold jinx in the continental event.

Sardar was today named as the flag bearer of Indian contingent for Friday’s opening ceremony in Incheon, and the star midfielder said he is already getting goose bumps.

“It is definitely a big moment for me. It is a big honour to lead the nation in the opening ceremony of a mutltisport event like the Asian Games. Friday will definitely be one of the best moments of my career. I am already getting goose bumps,” Sardar told

PTI from the South Korean city.

Asked if the responsibility would bring added pressure on him, Sardar said: “I don’t think there will be any added pressure because it is a off-field activity. But it will definitely motivate me and my teammates to give our best on the field.

“Our mission is to win the gold here and that is what we aspire from this event. We are determined to come back with gold,” he said.

India last won a gold in the mega-event in the Bangkok Games in 1998.

Placed in Pool B alongside arch-foe Pakistan, the Indian men’s team will open its campaign against Sri Lanka on Pool B match on September 21.

Sardar said the team is well prepared for the task at hand and raring to take the turf on Sunday.

“Our preparation is going on very well. We defeated Japan in a practice game today,” he said.

“We have worked on the mistakes which we committed in the Commonwealth Games and have devised strategies to counter those areas.”