A Commonwealth shooting championship can be accommodated, says Nigel Adams

A Commonwealth shooting championship can be accommodated, says Nigel Adams

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After enough water has flown under the bridge, Britain sports minister Nigel Adams has stated that they could agree to a compromise by organizing a separate championship for shooting coming 2022 Games. This took place after both India and Australia have threatened to boycott Birmingham Games.

With the closest shooting facility to Birmingham about 209 kms away in Bisely, Surrey, the Commonwealth Games Federation had decided to do away with the optional sport in the upcoming edition in 2022. They had cited logistical issues for the same but has faced tremendous opposition. 

Countries like India and Australia, who have seen a majority of their medal tally coming from shooting, have called for a boycott. While Indian shooters won 16 of the country's 66 medals at last year's Gold Coast Games, Australian shooters had won nine medals, including three golds, in the same with the second-highest tally after India.

This has created simmering tension at the highest level with British sports minister Nigel Adams now willing to reach some kind of a compromise, which could be seeing his country hosting a separate truncated shooting event at Birmingham 2022 or a Commonwealth shooting championships, although it won’t be a part of the Birmingham programme. 

"I totally understand how passionate people are about shooting across the Commonwealth," Adams told British media, reported Reuters.

"We want India to be here, no question. I have already written to the Commonwealth Federation to see if we can accommodate shooting in some form, maybe a Commonwealth shooting championships. It's important that we do get a competition in 2022. It's great for the economy. I understand the federation is still talking to the bodies and I am hopeful there can be an accommodation and a compromise made," Adams further added.

CGF Chief Executive David Grevemberg has also said that he would be reaching out to Indian officials to try and convince them not to boycott. "India is a critical member of the Commonwealth, we want Indian athletes to participate, and there is a strong Indian community in Birmingham which wants to celebrate these athletes," Grevemberg said.

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