Govt gives green light to IOA for hosting Commonwealth shooting and archery events

The government on Saturday approved "in principle"  the Indian Olympic Association's proposal to host the Commonwealth shooting championships and archery events -- which are not part of the 2022 Commonwealth Games roster -- in March 2022.

Earlier this week, the IOA had withdrawn its threat to boycott the Birmingham Commonwealth Games over shooting's omission and decided to submit a formal proposal to host a shooting championships, where the medals won will be counted in the tally of the 2022 edition. "I am directed to refer to Indian Olympic Association's letter dated 1st January 2020, regarding holding of Commonwealth shooting and archery events in India in March 2022 and to convey the 'in-principle approval' of the government," the ministry said in a letter.

IOA writes to CGF President

On Friday, IOA had written a letter to Commonwealth Games Federation President Dame Louis Martin, outlining the cost of hosting shooting and archery events. "Whilst the costs outlined and enclosed in the shooting programs have been graciously accepted to be met largely by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the archery programme will likely be funded solely by the Government of India," IOA wrote in the letter.

The IOA president Narinder Batra categorically told the CGF that they have conveyed to the government "that medals awarded in these events should be legitimately recognised in the final total medal tally for the XXII Commonwealth Games in addition to those won by the competing nations at the Birmingham 2022." The IOA also asked CGF to "consider the cost and operational complexity of the proposals."

READ | I Am Hopeful Of Best-ever Olympics In Tokyo: Gopichand

"Regarding the enclosed proposals, I venture to add that it is far more cost-effective and efficient to conduct both events simultaneously and in the same host city," Batra said in the letter. "We have given you two options to consider as the NRAI is awaiting your decision to conduct or not the full bore discipline in the shooting programme which is a significant cost. "The NRAI has informed me that this decision would be necessary to recommend whether the events could be hosted in Chandigarh or New Delhi."

The IOA also proposed that the two events are run "adjunctly to and some months prior to the XXII Commonwealth Games in Birmingham during 2022". "It is proposed that the opening ceremony would coincide with Commonwealth Day on the 14th of March 2022." The IOA also informed CGF its decision to "bid for hosting of 2026 or 2030 Commonwealth Games in India."

READ | Irfan Pathan Retires: Look Back At Player Of The Match Of Inaugural T20 World Cup Finale

India had hosted the 2010 edition in the national capital, the build-up to which was marred by one controversy after another. The IOA also received full support from the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) for hosting the Commonwealth shooting championships in India in March 2022. "We are happy to acknowledge that the NRAI presided by Raninder Singh made a proposal to stage the shooting sport competitions of the Commonwealth nations in India in March of 2022," ISSF Secretary General Alexander Ratner said in a letter addressed to IOA chief Batra.

"On behalf of the ISSF I herewith accord the full support to the proposal prepared by the NRAI that allows maintain solid and engaging relationships with the CGF." The ISSF also proposed to add four mixed team events during the Commonwealth Shooting championship.

READ | James Pattinson Loses His Wicket To Neil Wagner In An Unusual Manner, Commentators Amazed

"Propose to include in addition to the ISSF recognized events conducted at the Gold Coast, the following Mixed Team events that would not increase the total number of participating athletes but, surely, will give more chances for them to become medal winners: 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team, 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team, Trap Mixed Team and Skeet Mixed Team," the letter said. "The first three events are included in the program of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. All four events will be proposed by the ISSF for inclusion in the program of Paris 2024 Olympic Games," it added. 

READ | Nadal And Djokovic Off To Winning Starts At ATP Cup