India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The Pakistan weightlifting team has threatened to pull out of the Delhi Commonwealth Games over a controversy about carrying the national flag at Sunday's opening ceremony. Weightlifter Shujauddin Malik was to carry the flag and lead the Pakistan contingent at the event, but at the last moment, the head of the contingent, Muhammad Ali Shah, declared that he himself would carry the flag. The issue led to an argument between some members of the team and Shah. However, Shah refused to hand over the flag and led the contingent at the opening ceremony. Meanwhile, weightlifting team coach Sheikh Rashid said that the players participated in the opening ceremony only for the sake of the national dignity. "However, my players will not feature in events and will come back unless Mr Shah apologises to the contingent," The Dawn quoted Rashid, as saying. According Rashid, several other players and Indian officials were witness to the row. He has appealed to the government to take notice of the incident.

Pak weightlifting team threatens to quit Delhi CWG over flag row