Hours away from Commonwealth opening ceremony, Indians wait for costumes

With less than 24 hours to go for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, several members of the Indian contingent reportedly still haven’t received their ceremonial dresses for the parade. Some athletes are reportedly wondering whether they will be given the ceremonial dresses at all. [caption id=“attachment_1630525” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File picture of “The Big G” 3-D structure at George Square in Glasgow. Reuters[/caption] “We have just received the India blazer with Glasgow Commonwealth Games embossed on them. We should have got the dress before we left India,” one athlete, a veteran of three Games was quoted as saying by the Times of India. The Indian chef-de-mission - Raj Singh - meanwhile, conceded that there was some delay in the arrangement of ceremonial attire for the Indian contingent but said he was confident that all the athletes would get them in time. “The IOA Committee to decide on this issue of ceremonial dress which included myself delayed a bit in taking a decision. But it is not an issue and all the athletes will get the ceremonial dress for the opening ceremony,” Raj Singh told PTI . “We have already given the sports kits, including track suits, shoes, bags etc. But I think some athletes are yet to get the ceremonial dress for the opening ceremony. But all of them will get the dress today.” He said men members will wear a black blazer, gray trouser and Hush Puppy shoes along with the traditional turban. “Women athletes will wear saris and we have three sets of saris with us. We will decide which one will be used,” he added. With the 20th edition of the Commonwealth Games just hours away, India are aiming for a top-three finish. India achieved unprecedented success in the last edition, amassing 101 medals to finish second. This time around the expectations have soared even higher. The Indian contingent looks strong and here are the athletes who are touted to deliver the medals.