India on Monday ended a threat to boycott the 2022 Commonwealth Games over the exclusion of shooting and said it will bid to host the event in the next decade.
Earlier this year, The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has called for the team to pull out of the Games in Birmingham after shooting was dropped from the medal programme.
India on Monday ended a threat to boycott the 2022 Commonwealth Games over the exclusion of shooting and said it will bid to host the event in the next decade
Shooting is not a a core Commonwealth Games sport, but has been included at every event since Edinburgh 1970. It is one of India’s strongest sports and they won 16 medals, including seven golds, at Gold Coast 2018.
“I totally understand how passionate people are about shooting across the Commonwealth,” said UK sports minister Nigel Adams in August. “We want India to be here, no question. I have already written to the Commonwealth Federation to see if we can accommodate shooting in some form, maybe a Commonwealth shooting championships.
Following talks with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the Indian Olympic Association offered to host a Commonwealth shooting championship before the 2022 Games in Birmingham, England, to overcome the year-long boycott dispute.
India will participate in the 2022 #CommonwealthGames in Birmingham reversing earlier plans to boycott the event – officials https://t.co/QNmIhKW73P
— TRT World (@trtworld) December 30, 2019
It was not immediately announced by either side, however, whether the medals won at the championship would count towards the Games tally.
“The CGF and the entire Commonwealth sport movement are delighted India has confirmed their intent to participate at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games,” said CGF president Louise Martin following the announcement at an IOA meeting in Delhi.
“Following a useful and constructive CGF visit to India in November, we felt confident and reassured that the athletes and sports community of India places huge value and importance on the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth sport movement.
Read more: Foreign protestors take to India, government responds with threats
“Our visit and collaboration have significantly strengthened our partnership with” Indian sports leaders “and we are continuing to work closely,” Martin added.
“Finally, we are delighted that India has expressed an ambition to host another Commonwealth Games in the future.”
Indian Olympic Association confirms India's participation in 2022 #CommonwealthGames in Birmingham; will bid to host either 2026 or 2030 edition of the Gameshttps://t.co/mSWR9Qibum pic.twitter.com/S21wdSUAJu
— DD News (@DDNewslive) December 31, 2019
IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta said India would approach the government to seek approval to bid for the 2026 or 2030 Commonwealth Games. The 2010 Commonwealth Games were held in New Delhi.
The 2026 venue is to be decided next year.
GVS News Desk with additions from news agencies.