India fume as leaner Glasgow Games hit medal prospects
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India's Lakshya Sen playing a shot to Malaysian Lee Zii Jia in their men's singles badminton bronze-medal match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Aug 5.
PHOTO: AFP
NEW DELHI – India has reacted strongly after several sports in which the country does well were axed for a leaner version of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The Scottish city stepped in to host the Games after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew citing cost concerns. The future of the multi-sport event was in doubt as other states and nations declined the offer to host.
The pared-down Games will feature only 10 sports, down from 19 in Birmingham 2022, and India is upset as badminton, cricket, hockey and shooting are among the sports axed from the programme.
“I’m deeply appalled and disappointed by the decision to exclude badminton... a judgment that appears aimed at stunting the progress of nations like India,” said India’s chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, a former All-England champion.
“As the sport experiences exponential growth globally, the reasons for its exclusion must be scrutinised and discussed with the relevant stakeholders.”
While badminton has been played in every edition of the Games since 1966, squash and hockey have been a part of the programme since 1998. Table tennis has featured since 2002. The decision also means no racket sport is in the Games.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) said the 2026 Games was “specially designed to not require public funding”.
“Glasgow 2026 will have all the drama, passion and joy that we know the Commonwealth Games delivers even if it is to be lighter and leaner than some previous editions,” said Commonwealth Games Scotland chief executive Jon Doig.
India finished fourth in Birmingham with 61 medals, including 30 in events which would not feature in Glasgow.
The Badminton Association of India said it would discuss the sport’s absence in Glasgow with the game’s global governing body and the CGF.
Indian Olympic Association vice-president Gagan Narang was particularly upset that shooting, in which India won three medals at the Paris Olympics, is not part of the programme in Glasgow.
“I am also disappointed that few more disciplines which are medal prospects for India don’t figure in the list of disciplines for CWG 2026,” the former shooter said.
In contrast, Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh will not fret about the country missing out on potential medals from excluded sports.
“A preliminary forecast shows that Malaysia will lose 16 medals from the dropped sports,” she was quoted as saying by The Star. “But we respect (the organiser’s decision). This is the prerogative of the organiser, every organiser is given the flexibility to choose the sports.” REUTERS
