No boycott, says Batra
INDIAN Olympic Association President Narinder Dhruv Batra, pictured, has said that the country will not boycott the 2022 Commonwealth Games because of the exclusion of the shooting disciplines, but will take up the issue with the organisers.
National Rifle Association of India president Raninder Singh had earlier said that the country must boycott the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham if shooting was not reinstated in the Games.
“Sitting on this chair and sitting on that side makes a lot of difference. He (Raninder) is free to make a lot of statements. There are athletes, government and so many things related. We will certainly take up the issue, but it does not start with participating or boycotting the 2022 Commonwealth Games. I think its a bit too extreme,” Batra told reporters.
When asked if India could bid for the 2028 Youth Olympics, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, who was also present at the occasion, said the bidding procedure was not open at the moment.
“As I said before, it’s not the time to discuss in detail for future candidature because the procedure at the moment is not open. But we have taken the intention of hosting in future with great appreciation because it will be fantastic for Indian athletes to host the Games at home, and this would also give a boost to sports in the country.” Batra, however, said that apart from the Youth Olympics, the IOA would also bid for the 2030 Asian Games and the 2032 Olympics.
“India will bid for the Youth Olympics and will also bid for the 2030 Asian Games and 2032 Olympics,” Batra said.