CWG 2026: Olympic legends Lovlina Borgohain, Mirabai Chanu to lead Indian contingent at Opening Ceremony in Glasgow

Olympic medallists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain will be the India's flag and baton bearer for the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2026 in Glasgow on July 23, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced on Saturday.

The announcements were made by IOA president PT Usha, “It is a matter of pride Mirabai and Lovlina will be doing the honours at the OVO Hydro. I wish both the girls and the entire contingent good luck,” Usha said in a release.

Indeed, for Mirabai and Lovlina, both medallists from the Tokyo Olympics, this will be a moment of pride. Mirabai, who is aiming for glory at the CWG, again, in Glasgow, won a silver medal in Tokyo.

She is coming back strongly and will show energy and enthusiasm when the 126-member Indian team is seen in action during the Commonwealth Games. Lovlina, who won a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics, is a strong contender for a medal this time in Glasgow.

Ministry clears contingent of 191 for CWG 2026

Earlier on July 10, the Sports Ministry on Friday approved a 191-strong Indian contingent, including 126 athletes and 51 team officials, for the CWG 2026, making it clear that it would not bear expenses of those officials who are elected members of the IOA's Executive Committee.

The notification also stated that a detailed report on the contingent's performance, including action photographs, would also need to be submitted to the Ministry within 30 days of its return to India. The 126-strong athlete contingent includes 78 male and 48 female athletes.

"IOA will ensure that any person, if he/she is holding elected position in EC of IOA, any NSF or any sports body, whose name has been included in the list of team officials, will be treated at no cost to the Government," the Ministry asserted. The ministry has specified that the definition of Team Officials would include coaches, support staff, medical staff, and contingent officials.

Chef de Mission Rohit Rajpal is the lone member of the contingent staff who is a member of the IOA EC and the cost of his stay in Glasgow will not be covered by the government. "The IOA will manage his expenses during the trip as he is an elected member of its EC," a ministry source confirmed to PTI.

The Ministry also reiterated that the NSF must carry out background checks of their respective contingents “in view of the disappearance of some officials/sportspersons in the foreign countries in the past...”

No hockey, shooting in CWG 2026

The CWG 2026 have been significantly scaled down for the Glasgow edition due to cost considerations and India's medal tally will take a hit due to the omission of its traditionally high-yielding disciplines like shooting, hockey, badminton, wrestling and cricket.

The Glasgow Games will feature only 10 able-bodied and six para events. India would be participating in nine disciplines for able-bodied and five para events. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had earlier also stated that only those athletes who have realistic chances of winning medals would be picked for multi-sport events.