'Don't send Indian team to Glasgow': Athletes in shock as CWG 2026 drops Hockey, shooting and wrestling
In a major setback to the medal prospects of India in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026, the organisers have decided to drop several key sporting disciplines in which the country has excelled in the past. A total of nine sports ¡ª hockey, badminton, table tennis, shooting, wrestling, cricket, squash, rugby, and archery ¡ª have been excluded from the upcoming games.??
How?Glasgow became host of CWG 2026
Scotland's capital, Glasgow, was announced as the host city of the 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games, which will take place from Thursday, 23 July to Sunday, 2 August 2026, after Victoria in Australia, which won the hosting rights in 2022, pulled out in 2023.??
The organisers blamed a "significant increase in the projected costs" as the reason for pulling out from hosting the games, leaving the Commonwealth Games Federation with few options.??
While Glasgow, which hosted the CWG in 2014, will once again be the host, it will be a much smaller event in 2026, with just ten sports.??
Why omission of shooting, wrestling is bad news for India
Shooting and wrestling have been dominant sports for India at CWG since its inception, having won 135 and 114 medals, including 63 and 49 gold medals respectively. In the last edition at Birmingham, India won 12 medals in wrestling, including six gold, one silver, and five bronze medals. The last time shooting was played at CWG, in 2018, India secured 12 medals, including seven gold, four silver, and five bronze medals.?
'No need of CWG'
The decision to drop the nine sports has left many shocked and disappointed.??
"There is no need for CWG. In my opinion, they should do away with it. It is better to organise the Olympics and Asian Games than CWG," former Indian badminton coach Vimal Kumar said.??
'Aimed at stunting progress of India'
Calling the decision appalling, Pullela Gopichand said the move should be scrutinised and discussed with the relevant stakeholders.??
¡°I am deeply appalled and disappointed by the decision to exclude badminton from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow¡ªa judgment that appears aimed at stunting the progress of nations like India," Gopichand said.??
"Ten games have been removed now; where will India win medals? India used to win medals in wrestling, hockey, shooting, cricket, and table tennis," Bhola Nath Singh, the Secretary General of Hockey India, said.
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