India to host 2022 Commonwealth Archery and Shooting Championships! Details inside -

New Delhi, February 25: After India offered a proposal to host a separate Commonwealth Championships for shooting and archery competitions, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Executive Board on Monday gave its approval to stage the event in India prior to six months of the main Commonwealth Games 2022 taking place in Birmingham.

 

While the event in India will be conducted in Chandigarh in January 2022, the main event will begin on 27 July 2022. The medals earned in this event will be tallied in the finals of the Birmingham Games. The Board further have cleared that both the games taking place in Birmingham and Chandigarh will be organized and funded separately.

 

 

It has been noted that the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) president Raninder Singh said he would pay for the shooting event. The cost includes return airfare, accommodation, meals, local transportation and training costs for the athletes and support staff. Approximately, 38 countries will be participating in these two Games including 418 athletes, officials, and CGF dignitaries.

 

Previously, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had threatened to boycott the 2020 Commonwealth Games over the omission of shooting and archery competitions from the main event. However, last month, IOA had withdrawn its threat and submitted a proposal. The reason why India had threatened to boycott the Games was that India had gained 16 of their 66 medals, and seven of 26 golds, at the 2018 Gold Coast Games. A bulk of its gold was brought by the archery and shooting competition and also these are an optional sport for host cities. The way the Indian archers and shooters are playing currently, it will be a great opportunity for them to motivate and boost their confidence.

 

The proposal from Commonwealth Games India (CGI), which was supported by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the Government of India, the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) and World Archery, was also considered and discussed with Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Partners prior to the CGF Executive Board decision.

 

Speaking on this, President Dame Louise Martin said, “I am delighted that we have approved India’s ambitious proposal to host a Commonwealth Archery and Shooting Championships in Chandigarh during 2022. Commonwealth archery and Shooting athletes now have an unprecedented opportunity to compete in an elite event that will showcase the very best of Commonwealth Sport and add value to the Commonwealth Sports Movement."