Indian shooter Gauri Sheoran supports IOA's stance on 2022 Commonwealth Games boycott

Indian shooter Gauri Sheoran said she sides with the IOA's decision to boycott the 2022 Commonwealth Games and hoped the CWG Federation will reconsider its decision to drop the sport.

Published : Jul 31, 2019 13:30 IST , Chennai

Gauri Sheoran became the first Indian woman shooter to strike gold in the 25-metre sports pistol event at the World University Games in Malaysia last year.

Gauri Sheoran became the first Indian woman shooter to strike gold in the 25-metre sports pistol event at the World University Games in Malaysia last year.

Gauri Sheoran, who became the first Indian woman to strike gold in the 25-metre sports pistol event at the World University Games in Malaysia last year, said she is “with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA)” in the wake of the apex body’s proposal to boycott the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games after shooting was dropped from its roster due to logistical issues.

“Shooting has been in the (Commonwealth) Games for the longest time. I don’t think they should be removing a particular sport. It has been one of the top sporting events; not just for India but for many other countries as well. I hope that there is still a way for the CGF (Commonwealth Games Federation) to reconsider its decision and still keep shooting in the competition,” Sheoran told Sportstar on Tuesday.

Narinder Batra, IOA president, on Saturday, sought the government’s approval on matters regarding the proposed boycott of the Games in a letter to Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju. On Sunday, the NRAI also announced its support, with secretary Rajeev Bhatia saying the IOA and they are on the same page.

The KSS championship gold medallist, Sheoran, applauded the move saying, “Removing one sport, in particular, isn't fair on the part of the participating athlete. I think maybe boycotting the games, they should do that. We should not be choosing between sports and remove one just like that. I am with the IOA on this.”

The IOA, earlier, had also pulled out of the CGF General Assembly , which is to be held in Rwanda in September. It had additionally withdrawn the nomination of its secretary general Rajeev Mehta for the election of a regional vice-president as well as that of Namdev Shiragaonkar for sports committee member.

Meanwhile, the CGF said it intends to meet with the IOA officials in the near future to help find a solution to the concerns raised.

The move by the CGF comes as a huge blow to India's medal hopes at the 2022 CWG Games as the nation had won 16 medals, including seven golds, at the 2018 edition in Gold Coast, Australia. The country has traditionally done well in shooting, which has been part of every Commonwealth Games since 1966, except the 1970 edition in Edinburgh.