Commonwealth Games has reportedly been considering excluding hockey from the Games’ roster for the 2026 edition.
Hockey has been an integral part of the Games since 1998. However, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is considering the move to bring down the cost of hosting the Games.
Scotland stepped in to save the 2026 Games after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out due to rising costs. Malaysia also expressed disinterest in hosting the event.
With the schedule of the Games likely to be announced on Tuesday, as reported by PTI, the scenario around hockey in the CWG is less promising.
Hockey’s exclusion will also be a blow to the Games, scheduled for July 23 to August 2, as it is one of the most popular Olympic sports.
The CWG will be held closer to the Hockey World Cup, scheduled for August 15 to 30 in Wavre, Belgium and Amstelveen, Netherlands.
To bring down the costs of organising the Games, the CWG organisers have reduced the number of sporting disciplines from 19 (in 2022 Birmingham) to 10 with only four proposed venues – Commonwealth Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre and Scottish Events Campus. None of these venues have a hockey turf.
From the Indian’s perspective, hockey’s omission will be a big blow, with the Indian men’s team being a three-time silver medallist and two-time bronze-medallist in the sport. The women have won three medals, including a gold in the 2000 edition.
Comments are closed.