Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, Oct 9: The Indian men’s water polo team has courted controversy at the Asian Championship in Ahmedabad after displaying the national flag on players’ swimming trunks, a move seen as a serious breach of protocol. The incident has drawn criticism from both the Sports Ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), following social media circulation of the visuals.

The display violates the Flag Code of India, 2002, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which explicitly prohibits placing the national flag on garments worn below the waist. Officials suggested that the Tiranga could have been represented on swimming caps instead.

A Swimming Federation of India (SFI) official acknowledged the error, stating that corrections will be made ahead of the team’s next match. The official added that while World Aquatics (formerly FINA) rules permit national emblems on uniforms and other countries follow similar practices, the Indian sensitivity toward the flag requires stricter adherence.

The Sports Ministry has instructed the SFI to rectify the mistake immediately and submit a detailed report. Although the error is believed to be inadvertent, authorities emphasized that the seriousness of dishonouring the national flag cannot be overlooked, making the issue a high-profile controversy.

“The teams from other nations are wearing their flags on their gear, but we understand the Indian sensitivity. It will be corrected in upcoming matches,” an SFI official told The Times of India.

The federation is reportedly preparing new uniforms to ensure no recurrence, and the Ministry has not ruled out possible legal action against those responsible once the full report is reviewed. According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) charter, displaying national flags is optional, left to the discretion of athletes and their countries.