‘We shouldn’t waste energy’: Manu Bhaker urges Indian athletes to look beyond chaos at Asian Games

NEW DELHI: Ace shooter Manu Bhaker has urged other Indian athletes to put the organizational issues surrounding the Asian Games behind them and focus on competing, saying the continental showcase is a “one-of-a-kind opportunity and experience”.The build-up to the Games in Japan has been marred by complaints from athletes and officials from several participating countries, including India, about cramped accommodation, organizational mismanagement and long travel times between hotels and training venues.With criticism mounting over the measures, Bhaker urged the Indian contingent not to let the issues distract them from their performance.“To all my fellow athletes from India, we are going to have some problems. I have seen some problems circulating on social media and people are telling me that these are problems,” Bhaker said in a video message released by the Indian Olympic Association.“Regardless of the problems we have, this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and experience. We have to make sure we enjoy the time instead of complaining,” she added.

“We shouldn’t waste energy”

Bhaker, a two-time Olympic medallist, said Indian athletes had worked too hard to get to the Asian Games to allow organizational difficulties to consume their attention.“We have prepared as best as we can, so we have to try to perform as well as we can. We have worked so hard to be here and we should not waste our energy pointing out that this is not right and this is not right. The medal may come or not, that is another story, but we have to give our best.”The 24-year-old has been given another major responsibility at the Games after being named as one of India’s two flag bearers for Saturday’s opening ceremony.Bhaker made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics when she became the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics. Bronze was won in the individual 10 m air pistol and mixed team 10 m air pistol events.

Manu Bhaker will lead the Indian contingent as the flag bearer

The Asian Games will hold strong personal significance for Bhaker, who is competing in the continental event for the third time.“When I heard about it (being selected as one of the flag bearers), I had memories of my earlier days. When I started, I never thought that I would ever reach this far. It definitely makes me proud and honored,” she said.“I was only 16 years old when I competed in the 2018 Asian Games. It’s my third Asian Games. I was in Palembang (Indonesia) in 2018, so I couldn’t attend the ceremony.”Bhaker recalled that her late coach Jaspal Rana allowed her to participate in the opening ceremonies of multi-sport events only when she was the flag bearer due to the tight competition schedule for shooters.“It was my first time to attend the opening ceremony at the Commonwealth Games and I was happy that if I am the flag bearer I will attend because my (then) coach Jaspal (Rana) sir said he will allow me to attend the ceremony if I am the flag bearer, otherwise not. As our matches usually start just a day after the opening ceremony, it is hectic for us.“So for the opening ceremony, I’m either the flag bearer or I’m watching the ceremony on TV.Earlier on Saturday, veteran kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat replaced bowler Tajinderpal Singh Toor as India’s second flag bearer after Toor was unable to attend the ceremony as he did not have the required ceremonial packet in his luggage.