Led by Olympic medallists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain as flag and baton bearers, the Indian contingent entered to huge cheers. The male members were dressed in formal suits and the female participants were in traditional sarees and blazers. India is being represented by 123 athletes in eight able-bodied and five para sports.
FOLLOW COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2026 OPENING CEREMONY BELOW.
Sports which collectively contributed to nearly half of India’s medal haul at the 2022 CWG will not be there at the 2026 edtion. (PTI Photo)
Glasgow reopens a slimmed-down Commonwealth Games, minus India’s biggest medal sports
An Indian team member, who was in Glasgow 12 years ago as well, couldn’t help but compare the mood then and now upon reaching Scotland’s largest city. “In 2014,” he says, “the central square was a lively place where everyone congregated, creating a party atmosphere. When I passed it today, all I heard was drilling sounds, the road was dug up, and it was out of bounds.”
It isn’t a lament so much as a statement of fact. Exactly 12 years ago, during the opening ceremony of the previous Glasgow Commonwealth Games on July 23, 2014, Rod Stewart stood on a stage inside Celtic Park and belted out ‘Can’t Stop Me Now’ to a crowd that brought the proverbial roof off. As the flame reached Glasgow for Thursday night’s opening, the loudest noise this time is of the heavy construction machinery. (READ MORE)
