New Delhi: Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra will carry the Indian flag during the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony on Sunday, Indian chef de mission Bhubaneshwar Kalita said on Friday.
The 28-year-old ace shooter will lead a 619-member strong contingent - 379 men and 240 women - in the grand ceremony scheduled to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here.
"Bindra will be our flag-bearer. India will participate in all the 17 disciplines and have the biggest contingent," Kalita told reporters at the Games Village near Akshardham.
Kalita said badminton star Saina Nehwal and Beijing Olympic bronze medalist boxer Vijender Singh are among the six probables who will carry the Queen's Baton during the opening ceremony.
"Being the host nation, we have certain advantages and disadvantages relating to participation in the Games. But we are participating in all the events," he said.
India had finished fourth in both 2002 and 2006 editions of the Commonwealth Games. "We are getting full support here. The facilities here are excellent. All our athletes are fit and perform the best during the event," the chef de mission said.
Kalita said they were aiming for a second-place finish in the medal standings. "The athletes are confident and aiming to secure more medals. Our target is the second spot in the Games," he said.
Vice-chairman of the Organising Committee Randhir Singh, team's general manager Bhupinder Singh, Tarlochan Singh and boxers Vijender Singh and Akhil Kumar were also present during the press interaction.
Exuding confidence, Beijing Olympic bronze medalist Vijender said boxing would at least earn 10 gold medals. "We are fully-prepared and hopeful of bagging at least 10 gold," Vijender said.
Akhil Kumar said, "I am fully prepared to defend my gold medal."
A grand welcome and flag hoisting ceremony was also organised for the Indians at the Games Village here.
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