New Delhi: Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has played down the calls to boycott the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games over shooting’s exclusion, saying it is too early to take a decision of such magnitude.
Shooting has been axed from the 2022 edition by Birmingham Organising Committee, citing logistical issues.
The move triggered angry reactions from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the national shooting federation (NRAI). The IOA went to the extent of suggesting a boycott to protest the sport’s dropping. “The officials of IOA met me and apprised me about the ongoing issues in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where shooting has been dropped. The possibility of India’s boycott was also raised before me,” Rijiju told PTI in an interview.
“I told them to speak to the Commonwealth Games Federation officials and the organising committee of the Birmingham Games and apprise them about our deep concerns.
“If it (the decision) is not reviewed, we will see but the call for boycott at this point of time is too early. Certainly, boycott is not the solution but I will not give an opinion till I get the final outcome from the meeting between IOA and CGF officials,” he added. Shooting has featured in every Commonwealth Games since 1966 with the exception of Edinburgh 1970. But in its Executive Board meeting in June, the CGF recommended the inclusion of three new sports while dropping shooting.
The decision was a shock for India as the country’s shooters claimed 16 medals, including seven gold at last year’s Gold Coast Games. The country had finished third in the medals table with a tally of 66. On to the more immediate concerns, like the 2020 Olympic Games, the minister was hopeful that the athletes are going to bring back a lot more than just the one silver and a bronze attained in the 2016 Rio Games. Rijiju, however, said the 2024 and 2028 editions are his long-term goals. (PTI)
