New Delhi: India's leading sportspersons and administrators expressed surprise and helplessness after the country's medal-yielding sports excluded from the list of commonwealth game 2026. key sports such as hockey, badminton, wrestling, cricket and shooting have been dropped from the 2026 edition by host city Glasgow. They unveiled a pruned roster of 10 disciplines to keep the event budget-friendly.
Game removed due to low budget
Table tennis, squash and triathlon have also been axed in a bid to limit the cost. The organisers have said having lesser events at just four venues will ensure that the showpiece is able to manage the financial and operational risks involved.
Relocated to the Scottish capital after Victoria's withdrawal as host due to an increase in projected costs. the Games will feature just 10 events, which is nine less than the previous edition held in 2022 in Birmingham. But the roster has stunned the Indian sports fraternity.
Harmanpreet Singh statement
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"It's a shocking news and very disappointing but it's not in our hands," said Harmanpreet Singh, under whose captaincy the Indian men's hockey team won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics in August.
These sports were included
"The sports programme will include Athletics and Para Athletics (Track & Field), Swimming and Para Swimming, Artistic Gymnastics, Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling, Netball, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, Boxing, Judo, Bowls and Para Bowls, 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball," the Commonwealth Games Federation said in a statement.
The 23rd edition of the Games is scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 2, marking Glasgow's return as host after 12 years.
Game takes place in 4 venues
"The Games will take place across four venues- Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). Athletes and support staff will be housed in hotel accommodation," it added.
While announcing the Glasgow schedule, the CGF said "Glasgow 2026 will feature a 10-sport programme concentrated across four venues within an eight-mile corridor". This ruled shooting out of the roster as the Barry Buddon centre in Dundee. The venue during the 2014 CWG is more than 100 km away from Glasgow. Also, archery continued to be ignored. The sport last featured at the Games in the 2010 Delhi edition.
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In 2002 India won many medals in Hockey
Glasgow Green and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, which hosted hockey and wrestling in 2014, has been dropped from the list of venues, while Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, where badminton was held that year, will be used only for cycling this time.
Hockey's omission from the Games would be a significant blow for India. The men's team has won three silver and two bronze medals, while the women have also shone, clinching three medals, including a historic gold in the 2002 Games. (With agency Input)
