New Delhi: Former Union Sports Minister and 2004 Athens Olympics silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore denied to express his views on shooting being dropped out from the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Commonwealth Games Federation's decision to drop shooting, which is India's biggest medal producer at international sporting events since the 2000s, from 2022 Games roaster left Indian Olympic Association fuming. IOA president Narinder Batra even raised voice for India's permanent withdrawal from the British empire game, CWG.
Rathore, when asked about this development on the sidelines of an event here, didn't give any concrete answer and said the issue is being monitored. "Talks are on in this matter. Let us see what happens," Rathore said.
Recently, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Chief Narinder Batra had said that Commonwealth Games are just a waste of time and money and Rathore, when asked about it, refused to comment.
The IOA has been talking about a boycott of the event following the scrapping of shooting from the Birmingham CWG. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has already clarified that a call on boycotting the event will be taken by his Ministry.
Reportedly, a CGF delegation led by president Dame Louise Martin will visit India on November 14 to hold a talk with their Indian counterparts.
