Union Minister of I&B and Youth Affairs & Sports Anurag Thakur
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and his deputy Nisith Pramanik will watch the opening ceremony of the 32nd Olympics from the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Friday.
They will be joined by former athletes and celebrities from all walks of life in cheering the Indian contingent that will take part in the event in Tokyo.
"As the 32nd Summer Olympics will get underway tomorrow in Tokyo, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur and Minister of State, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Nisith Pramanik will be watching the Opening Ceremony at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium," the Sports Ministry said in a statement.
"Eminent personalities from all walks of life, which include ex-athletes and others from across the country will join the event to motivate our athletes as part of the #Cheer4India campaign envisioned by Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi."
Among those expected to join the ministers at the National Stadium are Haryana Sports Minister Sandeep Singh, Yashodhara Raje Scindia, national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand etc.
A total of 20 Indian athletes and six officials from seven sports and six officials will participate in the Olympics opening ceremony as COVID-19 concerns and competitions lined up the next day led to a majority of the athletes deciding to stay away from the event.
Men's hockey team captain Manpreet Singh and boxing legend MC Mary Kom are India's flag-bearers for the opening ceremony of the COVID-hit Games.
India is being represented by its largest-ever contingent of 127 athletes at the Tokyo Olympics, which also includes the highest female representation of 56 sportspersons.
