India replaced their male flagbearer in Saturday’s Asian Games opening ceremony in ​Nagoya, Japan, because the original choice, Tajinderpal ‌Singh Toor, did not receive his official ceremonial kit and could not attend the event, media reports said.

Toor, ​who is aiming for his third ​straight Asian Games gold in shot put, was replaced by kabaddi player Pawan ​Sehrawat as the male flagbearer. Shooter Manu Bhaker, ​who won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, was the female flagbearer.

“I’m told that my kit ​will reach at 3 p.m. at the ​airport. Reaching the opening ceremony venue after collecting my kit ‌from ⁠airport on time will be very difficult. So, I’ve told IOA (Indian Olympic Association) that I’m not coming for opening ceremony,” news agency ​PTI quoted ​Toor as ⁠saying.

“My kit is lying in India … IOA told me yesterday about ​me becoming flagbearer. Otherwise my coach, ​who ⁠reached here yesterday, could’ve picked it up for me.”

The IOA said in a statement that 31-year-old ⁠Toor ​would not be able ​to be India’s flagbearer “due to a technical issue”.