Shooting not being part of Commonwealth Games is not a setback, believes Gagan Narang

There have been a lot of discussions going around ever since the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) decided to leave shooting from the sports programme of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. With many former and current shooters saying that the decision will hamper the sport in India, Gagan Narang has said that it is not a setback and urged the players to prepare well for the Olympics.

“I don’t see it as a setback, it’s not a negative thing. If you look at cricket, it’s not there in the Olympics, not even in the Commonwealth Games, but the sport is thriving on its own. Even squash, for that matter, that is also doing well on its own. Now that it is out let’s be positive and give our best in Tokyo 2020 Olympics,” Narang told PTI.

Indian shooters had won a total of 16 medals, including seven gold at the Gold Coast Games in 2018. Narang is of the opinion that the sport will be back soon in the future Commonwealth Games soon.

“... In any case, it will be back again I am sure. Okay, it’s not there in Birmingham, but it will certainly be back for the later editions,” the Indian shooter hoped.

Earlier, National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) president Raninder Singh had said that India should not take part in the Games in 2022 if shooting is not included on the list of sports for the event.