Indian Olympic Affiliation president PT Usha feels the axing of medal-yielding sports activities resembling wrestling, hockey and badminton from the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Video games programme is “disappointing” for the nation however the strategy to scale back value would make sure that the occasion continues to seek out hosts in future. The twenty third version of the Video games is scheduled to happen from July 23 to August 2, marking the Scottish capital’s return as host after 12 years. Many of the Nationwide Sports activities Federations have been crucial of Glasgow’s choice to exclude hockey, badminton, wrestling, cricket, capturing, TT, and squash from the roster and have even questioned the relevance of the Video games after this transfer.
However Usha mentioned the explanations cannot be utterly ignored.
“The discount within the sports activities programme for the 2026 Commonwealth Video games is disappointing, however I’m certain that you’ll perceive that 2026 video games function a bridge to the way forward for the CWG,” Usha learn out a written assertion to PTI Movies on Wednesday.
Glasgow stepped in to avoid wasting the Video games after unique host Victoria (Australia) backed out citing ballooning value. It has lower than two years to finish preparations and the organisers mentioned they’ve tried to make sure that monetary and operational dangers are lowered by their conservative strategy.
Whereas India would lose out on loads of medals, Usha backed the thought of lowered value and decrease environmental affect resulting from a pruned schedule of 10 occasions to be carried out at 4 venues inside an eight-mile radius.
“The strategy goals to scale back prices, decrease environmental affect, and improve social advantages, such progressive and sustainable mannequin could be very thrilling as it’ll allow extra nations to host the Video games in future,” she defined.
“Given the restricted timeframe and monetary constraints, focus of CGF has been to ship a high-quality Video games in a financially accountable manner, with emphasis on minimising dangers and prioritising athletes and sports activities,” mentioned certainly one of India’s best athlete.
Usha mentioned CWG grew from being a 10-sport occasion up till 1998 and might return to increasing itself in future as soon as a steady mannequin of internet hosting the occasion is figured going ahead.
“Traditionally, CWG featured round 10 sports activities and since 1998, programme has expanded to incorporate 15 to twenty sports activities, and suppleness in future might be essential for hosts,” she added.
“I’ve had dialogue with CGF president and he has assured me that exclusion of sure sports activities from the 2026 programme would not set a precedent for future video games, and all CWG sports activities stay vital to CGF, with alternative to return in future editions,” she mentioned.
The sports activities programme will embody Athletics and Para Athletics (Observe & Discipline), Swimming and Para Swimming, Creative Gymnastics, Observe Biking and Para Observe Biking, Netball, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, Boxing, Judo, Bowls and Para Bowls, and 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball.
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