India will not boycott 2022 CWG over shooting discipline issue: Batra

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Dhruv Batra on Thursday clarified that the country will not boycott the 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG) because of the exclusion of the shooting disciplines, but will take up the issue with the organisers.

National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) President Raninder Singh had earlier said that the country must boycott the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham if shooting is not reinstated in the Games.

"Sitting on this chair and sitting on that side makes a lot of difference. He (Raninder) is free to make a lot of statements. There are athletes, government and so many things related. We will certainly take up the issue, but it does not start with participating or boycotting the 2022 Commonwealth Games. I think its a bit too extreme," Batra told reporters here.

When asked if India can bid for the 2028 Youth Olympics, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach who was also present on the occasion, said the bidding procedure is not open at the moment.

"As I said before, its not the time to discuss in detail for future candidature because the procedure at the moment is not open.

"But we have taken the intention of hosting in future with great appreciation because it will be be fantastic for the Indian athletes to host the Games at home and this would also give a boost to sports in the country," Bach said.

Batra however asserted that apart from the Youth Olympics, the IOA will also bid for the 2030 Asian Games and the 2032 Olympics.

"India will bid for the Youth Olympics and will also bid for the 2030 Asian Games and 2032 Olympics," Batra said.

--IANS

gau/ajb/bg