By IANS,
New Delhi: For Canada’s veteran hockey captain Ken Pereira, the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games will be special. He is the first team sport player to be the flag bearer of his nation and that too in the country of his origin, India.
Earlier this year in the World Cup, Ken led the Canadian team to pull off an upset by defeating four-time world champions Pakistan. He is promising a few more upsets in the Delhi Games.
Though Canada finished a disappointing 11th in the World Cup, Ken feels the experience will carry his team through in the 10-team tournament. Canada is grouped with European champions England, New Zealand, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago in Pool B.
“It is a great moment for me. I am the first athlete of a team sport, who has been selected to carry the flag. My parents will be here for the opening ceremony and I can’t wait for the Games to begin,” said Ken, a veteran of more than 300 international outings.
Ken, whose roots are in the Calangute town in nothern Goa, knows that his team faces tough challenge from England and New Zealand.
“We have to take one match at a time. England and New Zealand are always the team to beat. So it is very important to have a good start in the opening game against South Africa. We have seven players in the team, who were part of the World Cup and that will help us again,” he said.
Asked if four matches in six days will be tough for his team, Ken said: “Yes, it will be tough, but we can’t help. It is the same for all the teams, but I will enjoy the heat.”
Ken said that Canada will be looking to finish among the top five in the Games.
“During the World Cup, we caused an upset by defeating Pakistan. Who knows, this time we may upset some bigger teams. We are looking to finish among the top five in the tournament,” he said.