Commonwealth Games has no standard, says IOA chief Narinder Batra

Indian Olympic Association president, Narinder Batra, strongly pitched for India’s withdrawal from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, to be held in Birmingham.

Narinder Batra had called for the boycott of the Commonwealth Games in 2022, in light of the decision taken to exclude shooting.

Terming the Commonwealth Games (CWG) a sub-standard competition, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president, Narinder Batra, strongly pitched for India’s withdrawal from the 2022 edition in Birmingham. India has been seething over the axing of shooting from the competition but Batra sought to go beyond and stated that India should be competing at events of better quality in order to improve. He spoke to the media on the sidelines of the Asian Age Group Swimming Championships here on Tuesday.

Excerpts…

On boycotting CWG

I never used the word boycott. But my personal view, not the IOA’s, is that Commonwealth Games has no standard. We get 70, 100 medals in Commonwealth and when it comes to Olympics we get two medals. You have world Cups and other events where you can have better competition. If CWG says it spent 22 million GBP (on Shooting at Glasgow 2014) and can’t have it now because of money, please shut shop and call it quits. If you don’t have money, why are you wasting time? Don’t make it a joke.

On IOA’s official line  

We will meet the government. My personal view can’t be everyone's view. But if you need sports to improve in this country, you need to think straight. We are not here to make anybody happy. Once we were part of this large British empire. We are not slaves anymore. We secured independence in 1947. There are 30 countries of Commonwealth who don’t play CWG. It is a political decision. We have asked the government to guide us. But I feel playing CWG is a waste of time. If you want to develop and win medals in 2028, 2032, CWG is not the games.

On the suspension of NDTL  

There are about 50 odd parameters and they were missing out in two. They were all minor things but you are supposed to follow. It has nothing to do with testing. I think they must have sorted it out. They have a protocol. So if they've suspended you today, then it will take 5-6 months (to revoke).

On preparations for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Regarding those athletes and teams that are in my mind, I'm happy. We are only focusing on where the medal chances are [strong] and I can say I know 95 % of the athletes who are going. Hockey, we have to see what will happen on November 1 and 2 [against Belgium].