Cricket, Hockey, Badminton & Shooting among sports dropped from Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026.
London: In a big blow to India’s medal prospects in the Commonwealth games, key sports such as Hockey, Badminton, Wrestling, Shooting & Cricket have been dropped from the 2026 edition by the host city Glasgow.
Table Tennis, squash and triathlon have also been axed in a bid to limit the cost and streamline logistics.
“There will be only four venues available for the Glasgow edition of Commonwealth Games. Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena, and the Scottish Event Campus. Athletes and support staffs will be housed in hotel accommodation”, the Commonwealth Games Federation said in a statement.
While announcing the Glasgow schedule, the CGF said “Glasgow 2026 will feature a 10-sport programme concentrated across four venues within an eight-mile corridor”.
These changes have been part of a broader effort to scale back the event for logistical and financial reasons. The reduced number of sports will impact athletes and fans, particularly from countries like India, where wrestling and badminton have been strong medal contenders.
What will be its effect on India?
The exclusion of sports like wrestling, hockey, badminton, squash, and table tennis from the 2026 Commonwealth Games will significantly impact India’s medal prospects. India has traditionally excelled in wrestling, badminton, and hockey, contributing to a substantial portion of its medal tally in previous Games.
The removal of these sports reduces opportunities for Indian athletes to compete, potentially leading to fewer overall medals. It will diminish India’s competitive standing in the Commonwealth Games. It also affects the morale and preparation of athletes specializing in these disciplines.
Why was this decision taken?
The decision to exclude sports like wrestling, hockey, badminton, squash, and table tennis from the 2026 Commonwealth Games was primarily driven by financial and logistical concerns. Organizers aimed to reduce costs and streamline the event by trimming the number of sports and disciplines. Hosting challenges in terms of infrastructure and budget were major factors influencing this decision. Additionally, the focus was placed on making the Games more sustainable and manageable for the host city.
India’s statistics in the now-excluded sports
Here’s a detailed look at India’s performance in the sports that have been excluded from the 2026 Commonwealth Games:
1. Wrestling:
- India has consistently dominated wrestling at the Commonwealth Games. In the 2022 Games, Indian wrestlers won a total of 12 medals (6 golds, 1 silver, 5 bronzes).
- Top performers included Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Ravi Kumar Dahiya, all of whom secured gold medals.
2. Badminton:
- India has been a powerhouse in badminton, with athletes like PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth winning major medals. In 2022, India won three medals in badminton (1 gold, 2 silvers).
- The men’s and women’s singles, as well as the mixed team event, have been strong areas for Indian players.
3. Hockey:
- India’s men’s hockey team won the silver medal in 2022, losing to Australia in the final. The women’s team won the bronze.
- Hockey has traditionally been a strong event for India, with historic wins in previous editions, including the gold medal in 2010.
4. Table Tennis:
- In 2022, India performed exceptionally well in table tennis, winning 7 medals (3 golds, 1 silver, and 3 bronzes). Stars like Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra brought home top honors.
5. Squash:
- Squash, although not as dominant as other sports, saw India winning a bronze medal in 2022 through Saurav Ghosal.
These sports have consistently contributed a significant number of medals to India’s tally in the Commonwealth Games. With their exclusion, India’s overall medal prospects will likely see a reduction in the 2026 Games.
