MUMBAI: Shooting as a discipline will not be reinstated at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive officer David Grevemberg has confirmed.
Grevemberg issued the clarification in response to queries raised by the editor of Shooting Times.
In his letter Grevemberg points out: “The Commonwealth Games sports programme consists of compulsory and optional sports and disciplines, and despite appearing in many past Games, shooting is one of the optional sports that host nations can consider when proposing a bid to host the Games.
“The status of shooting as an optional sport was a decision made at the 2015 Commonwealth Games Federation general assembly, and also reaffirmed in 2016 when the new CGF constitution was approved. Importantly, these are not decisions taken solely by the federation, but hugely important decisions voted on by our members in line with our constitution. It was a decision made by the entire Commonwealth of Nations.
“Shooting is a thrilling sport with a proud and longstanding heritage at the Commonwealth Games. We understand that there will be disappointment when an optional sport is not chosen, and especially so when a particular country (read India?) has enjoyed medal success in this sport historically.
Grevemberg’s statement means that the efforts mounted by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) and Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore to get shooting back into the CWG fold didn’t cut ice, Times of India reports.
Grevemberg continues in his letter: “We believe it is fundamentally important for the Games partners; namely Commonwealth Games England, UK government, Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority – and indeed for any other host city – to propose a sports programme that complies with our agreed rules but also works best for them.
“As outlined in our Transformation 2022 Strategic Plan, our shared ambition is to broaden the pipeline of Commonwealth cities and nations wishing to realise the benefits of a Games – and to do that we must give our hosts the scope to propose and deliver their Games, in partnership with the CGF, in line with our vision and our constitution.
Birmingham is a diverse and dynamic city that has proposed an inspiring and inclusive event for 2022, and in record time. We know they considered all optional sports carefully, but a final decision was reached. The CGF has awarded the Games supporting these plans and consequently Shooting will not feature at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
