NEW DELHI: The legendary Pullela Gopichand and Vimal Kumar on Tuesday slammed the choice to exclude sports activities resembling badminton from 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Video games and urged the nation to not ship a workforce to the occasion as it’s aimed toward “stunting” India’s progress.
In a blow to India’s medal prospects within the Commonwealth Video games, key sports activities resembling hockey, badminton, wrestling, cricket, desk tennis and capturing have been dropped from the 2026 version by host metropolis Glasgow, which unveiled a pruned roster of 10 disciplines to maintain the occasion budget-friendly and freed from “operational dangers”.
However the roster has shocked the Indian sports activities fraternity with Gopichand and Vimal popping out with the strongest reactions.
“There is no such thing as a want for CWG. For my part, they need to dispose of it. It’s higher to organise Olympics and Asian Video games than CWG. It’s pathetic, I’m actually dissatisfied. CWG is shedding its appeal, it is relevance, so I really feel strongly we should not ship out a workforce for CWG, it isn’t required,” former India coach Vimal informed PTI.
“As a substitute of CWG it is very important have a look at methods to supply higher services to athletes at Olympics and Asian Video games. CWG will not be required. You need to put good bodily sport in this system, for those who take away all that then what is the level,” he added.
Relocated to the Scottish capital after Victoria’s withdrawal as host resulting from a rise in projected prices, the Video games will characteristic simply 10 occasions, which is 9 lower than the earlier version held in 2022 in Birmingham.
Squash and archery are additionally not half of what is going to be a massively pruned down Video games.
Gopichand, who is commonly credited with making a pipeline of prime badminton gamers by figuring out them at a younger age, described the transfer by the video games’ organisers’ as appalling.
“I’m deeply appalled and dissatisfied by the choice to exclude badminton from the 2026 Commonwealth Video games — a judgment that seems to be aimed toward stunting the progress of countries like India,” the previous All England champion stated.
Gopichand added, “Badminton has introduced us immense pleasure and success, serving as an important platform for our brightest skills to shine on the worldwide stage.
“This resolution represents a major lapse not only for Indian badminton, however for the game worldwide, missing clear reasoning and jeopardizing its progress.”
Gopichand stated India should strongly object to this resolution and lift the matter with the suitable authorities.
“It’s essential that we elevate our voices and convey this problem to the suitable authorities to make sure badminton continues to thrive and encourage future generations.
“As the game experiences exponential progress globally, the explanations for its exclusion have to be scrutinized and mentioned with the related stakeholders.
“We can’t enable such shortsighted selections to undermine the progress we now have tirelessly achieved,” he stated.
The 23rd version of the Video games is scheduled to happen from July 23 to August 2, marking Glasgow’s return as host after 12 years.
India despatched 210 athletes to the 2022 Birmingham Video games throughout 16 sports activities, successful 61 medals within the course of with 30 of these podium finishes coming from disciplines that will not be there on the Glasgow Video games.
Saurav Ghosal, one in every of India’s best squash gamers, described it as a backward step after the game’s inclusion on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Clearly very disappointing that squash will not be there within the Commonwealth Video games, , particularly after moving into the Olympics for 2028 final yr.
“It has been a really, crucial occasion within the squash calendar because it was first there in 1998. We actually hope that that is an anomaly and that transferring ahead squash will rightfully take its place again within the record of sports activities for the Commonwealth Video games,” Ghosal informed PTI.
Ghosal is India’s first singles medallist on the Video games, having gained bronze within the 2022 version in Birmingham.
