New Delhi: The decision to axe several major sporting disciplines from 2026 Commonwealth Games should be viewed rationally and pragmatically, says Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha.
Wrestling, hockey, table tennis and badminton among others have been dropped from the 2026 CWG programme after Glasgow agreed to host down a ‘scaled down’ version of the event after its initial hosts the Australian state of Victoria withdrew due to escalating costs.
Usha said the move to exclude disciplines that fetch India multiple medals is indeed disappointing but the purpose for which it was done should also be taken into account, considering that the future of the event has been thrown into doubt.
The CWG’s 23rd edition will be held in the Scottish capital from July 23 to August 2. It would be the second time in 12 yars that Glasgow would host the event.
A number of India’s national sports federations have criticised the decision to exclude hockey, cricket, shooting, squash among others, raising the relevance of such a watered down event. Usha though said the reasons that led to such a major decision shouldn’t be ignored.
“The reduction in the sports programme for the 2026 Commonwealth Games is disappointing, but I am sure that you will understand that 2026 games serve as a bridge to the future of the CWG,” Usha told PTI on Wednesday.
“The approach aims to reduce costs, lower environmental impact, and increase social benefits, such progressive and sustainable model is very exciting as it will enable more countries to host the Games in future.
“Given the limited time-frame and financial constraints, focus of CGF has been to deliver a high-quality Games in a financially responsible way, with emphasis on minimising risks and prioritising athletes and sports,” she explained.
With si many major disciplines excluded, India stand to lose out on a lot of medals but Usha reminded that CWG was a 10-sport event up until 1998 and can again expand once a stable model of hosting it is achieved.
“Historically, CWG featured around 10 sports and since 1998, programme has expanded to include 15 to 20 sports, and flexibility in future will be crucial for hosts,” she said.
“I have had discussion with CGF president and he has assured me that exclusion of certain sports from the 2026 programme doesn’t set a precedent for future games, and all CWG sports remain important to CGF, with opportunity to return in future editions.”
The sporting charter of CWG 2026 includes athletics, swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling, netball, weightlifting, boxing among others.
