Lok Sabha Question No. 3065 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-12
Subject: Inclusion of Shooting in Commonwealth Games
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Dr. T. Sumathy (a) Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Government of India Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3065

## TO BE ANSWERD ON 12.03.2020

Inclusion of Shooting in Commonwealth Games

3065. DR. T. SUMATHY (a) THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has made efforts to include shooting in Commonwealth games which are to be held in 2022;
- (b) whether the Commonwealth Games Federation has addressed this issue and explained the reasons for its exclusion to the Government;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether India will boycott the 2022 Commonwealth Games if the Commonwealth  Games  Federation  does  not  comply  with  Indian Government's concerns; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [SHRI KIREN RIJIJU]

(a) to (c) As provided under the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF)  Constitution,  the  Commonwealth  Games  sports  programme consists  of  'compulsory'  and  'optional'  sports.  Shooting  is  not  a compulsory  sport  under  the  CGF  Constitution  and  was  also  not included in the original bid for the games that was accepted by the CGF in December 2017.

As an affiliated member of the CGF, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) oversees  the  matters  relating  to  participation  of  Indian  athletes  / teams  participating  in  the  Commonwealth  Games.  However,  the Government has also constantly taken up the issue of inclusion of the 'Shooting' in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games with the CGF,  Organizing  Committee  of  Birmingham  Commonwealth  Games

2022  as  also  with  the  concerned  authority  in  UK  Government.  A comprehensive review of the sports programme was carried out by the  Birmingham  2022  Organizing  Committee  and  its  host  partners considering the financial considerations; the availability of suitable venues; the potential for additional revenue streams from ticket sales and/or  sponsorship;  as  well  as  alignment  with  the  Commonwealth Games  Federation  Constitution  and  with  the  objectives  of  Games Partners. However, consensus was not reached for inclusion / holding of Shooting events in Birmingham.

This matter has again been deliberated at length with the President of  CGF  during  her  India  visit  in  November  2019  to  find  out  some solution.  Subsequently,  IOA  has  alternatively  proposed  CGF  for holding of 'Shooting' and 'Archery' events in India in advance of the Birmingham  2022  Commonwealth  Games  with  the  legitimacy  of medals of these events as part of the final tally for the XXII edition of the Commonwealth Games. The Government has given its in-principle approval  to  the  IOA's  proposal.  CGF  in  its  media  release  dated 28.02.2020  has  stated  that  Commonwealth  Archery  and  Shooting Championships will be held in Chandigarh in January 2022 and one week  following  the  closing  ceremony  of  the  Birmingham  2022 Commonwealth Games, the CGF shall issue a medal table that will include  results  from  the  Chandigarh  2022  Commonwealth  Archery and Shooting Championships, as a further and final legitimate ranking of competing nations and territories from the respective competitions.

- (d) No Sir.
- (e) Does not arise.

****