IOA seeks to pull out of 2022 Commonwealth Games, writes to Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju

Indian Olympic Association, in an act of protest against the organiser’s decision to drop shooting, has considered of pulling out of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Although they have not taken the final decision yet, but to further take a firm step on their decision, the IOC seeks permission to meet India sports minister.

As per reports, the IOC is not pleased to hear it that the forthcoming 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held without the shooting competition in it which usually is a category in which India performs particularly well. Shooting is a category of competition in which India often brings multiple medals for the country and the last commonwealth games too witnessed India doing quite well. On such grounds, the organizer’s decision to drop this completion has appeared as a shock for the IOC.

The 2022 Commonwealth games are scheduled to be held in Birmingham, England but before this, the IOC wants to stay firm on a decision for which it has sought permission to meet the sports ministry head as well. It is only after an appointment and a discussion with India's sports minister Kiren Rijiju that the final decision will be taken by the association.

With Indian shooters showing exceptional results every year and in every competition, dropping the competition from the international event will be a major setback for the Indian team.

Speaking on this matter, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said that Indian athletes will have to win more medals in mega-events for being a sporting powerhouse and will also have to continue inspiring youth to take up Olympic sports.

Rijiju said, "We are a big country, we shouldn't lag behind in any discipline in Olympics. We need to be at the top and not at the back."

Before this, the sports minister, while receiving the torch of the Special Olympics International Football Championship (SOIFC) 2019, to be held in Chennai from August 3 to 6, had said that India will focus more on Olympic sports.

Also read: Guarantee entry of all athletes: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to Rathore