Government steps in over Commonwealth Games row

The British government has intervened in an attempt to reach a compromise with India over the country’s threat to boycott the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 over the exclusion of shooting from the programme.

Indian shooters accounted for 16 of the country’s 66 medals at the 2018 Gold Coast Games and its Olympic Association is soon make a decision on whether to follow through on its threat to pull out of the 2022 Games.

The Guardian reported that UK sports minister Nigel Adams is working on a compromise where a Commonwealth shooting competition would be staged in the UK in 2022 but would not be part of the actual programme.

It could mean that pistol and clay pigeon shooting would be staged in Birmingham but rifle events would be held in Bisley, Surrey.

“I totally understand how passionate people are about shooting across the Commonwealth,” Adams said.

“We want India to be here, no question. I have already written to the Commonwealth Federation to see if we can accommodate shooting in some form, maybe a Commonwealth shooting championships.

“It’s important that we do get a competition in 2022. It’s great for the economy. I understand the federation is still talking to the bodies and I am hopeful there can be an accommodation and a compromise made.”

Adams was speaking at an announcement at Edgbaston cricket ground that Birmingham 2022 will be the first major multisport event to feature more women’s medal events than men’s after women’s T20 cricket, beach volleyball and para table tennis were added to the programme.

David Grevemberg, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said: “India is a critical member of the Commonwealth, we want Indian athletes to participate, and there is a strong Indian community in Birmingham which wants to celebrate these athletes.”