Day 1 in Busan: Babu brigade steals the honours — literally

The picture to the right tells the story: after flag-bearer Dhanraj Pillay, the first row features (from left) Mukesh Kumar, the ‘secretary Games’ (in charge of the cash box), Sandeep Mehta, lecturer in a Delhi college who also officiates as the IOA’s PRO, and Arvind Bala, a member of the IOA’s administrative staff.

And while these three hogged the limelight — with at least one spotted blowing kisses to the crowd — world champion and 1998 Asian Games gold medallist Geet Sethi and Commonwealth double gold winner shooter Samaresh Jung were at the back while members of the women’s hockey team were in the third row.

‘‘This isn’t good. I would have no objection if the chef de mission was behind the flag bearer but not just any official’’, says legendary Olympian Gurbachan Singh Randhawa.

Says Sriram Singh, former double Asian Games 800m champion, ‘‘This is nothing new. Our officials always lead the march while the players are at the back.’’