New Delhi: Organizer of the Asian Aquatic Championship, which is being held in Ahmedabad, has controversy after the Indian men’s water polo team features the national flag of the country in their swimming – official competition gear – during the competition round, leading to a disrespect of Tricolor. Officials at the Ministry of Sports and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) requested a report from the Indian Swimming Federation (SFI), host the tournament. The Polo Air team entered a competition featuring a national flag in a rectangular shape on their trunk, where they should have been displayed on their skull hat.When Toi Facing the Swimming Federation, officials assured that the national flag would be displayed on the skull hat and not on the sticks. “It will be done in the game ahead. Teams from other countries participating in their national flag on their competition equipment, but we understand India’s sensitivity,” an official said. SFI argues that it is like the world’s aquatic rules (previously) that allows the national flag and its settlements on competition suits. General Aquatics World Rules for Uniforms and flags states that “flags and national codes are allowed with a 32 cm² size limit on the swimming hat in the tournament”. However, this issue is primarily related to the violation of the ‘Indian Flag Code 2002’, administered by ‘Prevention of contempt for the National Honor Act, 1971’. This code explicitly prohibits “using flags as part of clothing, uniform, or accessories worn under the waist; embroider or print flag design on items such as clothing, cushions, handkerchiefs, or towels and touching ground or traces in water”.
Survey
Do you believe the Indian men’s water polo team does not respect the national flag by wearing it on their trunk?
According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Charter, the national flag is not compulsory for participants and is governed by the choice of athletes and their country.
