Flag waving problem for India, Pakistan

Pakistan have changed their flag-bearer for Friday's opening ceremony of the Asian Games, while arch-rivals India may follow suit.Pakistan had nominated wrestler Azhar Ali, a gold medallist at last month's Common wealth Games in New Delhi, to carry the flag, but the request was turned down at the final minute by the coaching staff. India have left it to shooter Gagan Narang to take a call on whether he feels comfortable to do the honours in the four-hour long ceremony since his event is scheduled to take place early on Saturday.

Pakistan's coaches declined to send Ali early to Guangzhou just to take part in the opening extravaganza since the wrestling contest begins only on November 20.The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) quickly nominated field hockey captain Zeeshan Ashraf instead, ensuring there was no uncertainty like at the Commonwealth Games.Millions of live television audiences of the Delhi 2010 opening ceremony saw chef-de-mission Mohammad Ali Shah snatch the flag from weightlifter Shujauddin Malik just as the Pakistan contingent was entering the stadium.

The Pakistan government ordered an inquiry into the incident, but Shah, a provincial sports minister, claimed he was not aware that Malik had been asked to carry the flag.The weightlifters endangered to return home from New Delhi, but were persuaded to stay on by the country's Olympic officials. "There is no such misunderstanding this time around since we had announced back home that Ali would be the flag bearer," Pakistan's Olympic chief Mohammad Afzal said.
"The coach does not want to disturb the training of the wrestler and he did not allow Azhar to fly to Guangzhou for the opening ceremony."