IOA Eases Its Stand On CGF-2022 Boycott, To Bid for hosting the 2026 or 2030 CGF Games

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has confirmed that it would submit a bid to host the 2026 or 2030 Commonwealth Games. The IOA also agreed to back down from the 2022 Birmingham Games boycott demand for the removal of shooting.

The IOA, the apex body of the Olympic Games in the country, will now seek government’s necessary approval to host the Commonwealth Games. India had earlier hosted the 2010 edition of these games. This decision was taken during the annual general meeting.

IOA Secretary General Rajiv Mehta told PTI, “We have decided to make a bid for 2026 or 2030 Commonwealth Games, and we have also decided to send our contingent to Birmingham for the 2022 Games.”

Soon after the announcement by IOA, CGF President Dame Louise Martin issued a press release welcoming India decision confirming participation at the Birmingham Games.

Louise Martin said in a press release “The CGF and the entire Commonwealth Sport Movement are delighted India has confirmed their intent to participate at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games during their Annual General Meeting in New Delhi.”

The IOA also approved the proposal of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) to host the Commonwealth Shooting Championship separately before the Birmingham Games. It is expected that this will compensate for the removal of shooting from the 2022 Games.

The IOA is expected to forward the proposal of the NRAI to the Commonwealth Sports Federation (CGF) for approval very soon, after which the CGF Executive Committee will decide on it. Last week, the CGF had urged the NRAI to send a formal proposal in this regard.

NRAI has offered to bear the cost of hosting this competition. IOA chief Narinder Batra proposed to withdraw from the Games in India after the Commonwealth Games ‘alternative sports’ shooting was dropped from the Birmingham Games.