Jalandhar's village Mithapur has scripted another history in the field of sports. This is the first chance that a village in the country has given two players to lead the Indian team during the Olympic Games.

Giving the information, Punjab Hockey President Nitin Kohli and Senior Vice President Harpreet Singh Mander (Olympian) said that Indian hockey team captain Manpreet Singh, in the Olympic Games, starting July 23 in Tokyo (Japan) has been selected to carry the country's tricolor flag to represent the nation.

Manpreet’s selection to carry the country’s tricolor is a proud thing for Punjab hockey, all Punjabis, and all sports lovers.

Pertinently, Manpreet hails from the village of former Indian Hockey player and now Congress MLA Pargat Singh.

Also Read:Jalandhar’s Manpreet Singh to lead Indian Hockey Team in Tokyo Olympics 2021

Olympian Pargat Singh who led the Indian hockey team in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games had also picked up the tricolor leading the Indian Olympic team and brought fame to Punjab.

The 29-year-old midfielder became only the sixth hockey player to be named the flag bearer of the Indian contingent for the opening ceremony at the Olympic Games.

Notably, alongside Manpreet, multiple-times world champion boxer and London Olympics bronze medallist, MC Mary Kom will also bear the flag at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 23.

"This is amazing, and I am speechless. It's a huge honor to be named the flag bearer for the opening ceremony alongside the incredible Mary Kom. I have always been inspired by her journey in boxing and personally, for me, this is a big moment in my career, and it is also a huge moment for hockey.

 "I thank the Indian Olympic Association for this great opportunity and I am looking forward to the responsibility at the opening ceremony in Tokyo" added the midfielder, who will be playing his third Olympics.