CGF surprised with Narinder Batra’s suggestion, says November meeting with Indian Olympic Association crucial

CGF surprised with Narinder Batra’s suggestion, says November meeting with Indian Olympic Association crucial

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CGF chief executive David Grevemberg stated that he is disappointed with Narinder Batra’s suggestion to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games permanently and believes their meeting in November is very crucial. Meanwhile, Grevemberg rejected Batra’s claim saying the CWG is more relevant than before.

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chief executive David Grevemberg said he was “a bit disappointed and surprised” at Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Narinder Batra’s suggestion that India should withdraw permanently from the multi-discipline event as it has no standard. Speaking to The Indian Express over the phone on Wednesday, Grevemberg said, in the light of Batra’s statements, that the meeting between the two bodies in Delhi on November 14 will be “more important than ever”. Batra had earlier stated that in his personal opinion that the Commonwealth Games have no standard.

The IOA executive board will probably discuss Batra’s proposal during their meeting next month. If he manages to build consensus, the Olympic body will discuss the issue with the government before taking it up with the CGF, as Batra believes it is a political matter.

The sports ministry and national federations chose not to react immediately towards Batra’s controversial statements which have already received some flack from athletes. “We haven’t received any such proposal or suggestion from the IOA. This, from what we understand, is the IOA president’s personal view right now. If they formally decide anything and bring it to us, then we will see what will be the way forward,” a sports ministry official said to the Indian Express.

The IOA and CGF have been opposing parties for quite some time after the organisers of the 2022 Games excluded shooting from its programme. Subsequently, the IOA took an unprecedented step to propose a complete boycott of the Birmingham CWG. 

Grevemberg rejected Batra’s claims that the CWG is no longer relevant. “Modern Commonwealth is relevant than before. It is a way to go beyond the shared colonial history and implement values of peace, prosperity and human rights,” he expressed.

Grevemberg said he looks forward to meeting the Indian officials in November when he will accompany CGF president Louise Martin for their meeting. He said the visit will give him a chance to ensure that India does have a “leadership role” in the association.

He, however, ruled out the possibility of shooting being reinstated at this stage and instead, he said the CGF will support British Shooting’s idea of conducting Commonwealth Shooting Championships simultaneously.

“The programme is what it is today. These are the decisions in our constitution. This is not your money or my money, this is the British government’s money. This decision wasn’t taken by one person. We understand British Shooting is looking to host Commonwealth Shooting Championship and we are supportive of that,” Grevemberg said. “We need to have a very good conversation to know how ISSF can develop shooting in the Commonwealth. We are here to work in collaboration.”

Shooting has been contested at every Commonwealth Games since 1966, with the exception of Edinburgh 1970. The sport, however, is not a part of the core programme of the Games, which means a host nation can decide if it wants to include it in the events or not.

“The optional sports are very clearly mentioned in the CGF constitution, which was approved by our members. India was in the room and voted for it in 2015, when the bylaws were reaffirmed. I look forward to meeting Dr. Batra, clarify and come to some accord on shooting,” he concluded.

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