It was to be expected: the very minimalist formula for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, announced this week, is not pleasing all participating countries. In India, sports authorities are making no secret of their incomprehension at a program reduced to just ten sports, from which the disciplines in which the country achieves its best performances have been excluded. At the top of the list, badminton, cricket, field hockey and shooting, all present at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, but sacrificed for budgetary reasons for the next edition in Scotland. "I am deeply dismayed and disappointed by the exclusion of badminton, a decision which appears aimed at holding back the progress of nations like India, declared Pullela Gopichand, the national coach of the discipline, quoted by Reuters. As the sport grows exponentially globally, the reasons for its exclusion need to be closely examined and discussed with relevant stakeholders. We cannot allow such short-sighted decisions to undermine our progress". The reaction from the vice-president of the Indian Olympic Committee, Gagan Narang, was also very hostile. "I am disappointed that disciplines which offer medal prospects for India, such as shooting, are not included in the programme, acknowledged the former shooter. The Commonwealth Games have always been a major event in the Indian sporting calendar. It is disheartening to see the Games being watered down with so few events on the Glasgow 2026 programme." India finished fourth in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham with 61 medals, including 30 in events not included in the next edition.
