Chirag Shetty Criticizes Exclusion of Badminton from Commonwealth Games as 'Very Bad Decision!'

Men's doubles bminton champion Chirag Shetty has sharply criticised bminton, along with or popular sports, for being left from 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Emphasising importance of a concerted effort to revive se sports, he voiced dismay and encouraged national sports federations and government to contest decision as defending champion.

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Chirag Shetty on bminton being excluded from 2026 Commonwealth Games curriculum

Former world No.1 doubles shuttler Chirag Shetty termed exclusion of bminton from 2026 Commonwealth Games curriculum a wrong decision, and questioned how organisers could do away with most popular sport in event.

2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games on Tuesday unveiled a heavily scaled-down roster, excluding hockey, shooting, cricket, bminton and wrestling from curriculum, a move which will severely hurt India's medal prospects at qurennial event.

"I think it's a very b decision, to be honest. I can say for bminton, I think it's most watched sport. It's definitely one of most watched sports in Commonwealth Games," said Chirag, who along with partner Satwiksairaj Rankireddy is 2022 Birmingham CWG men's doubles champions, besides being mixed team gold medallist at Gold Coast in 2018.

He said popularity of sport in CWG could be gauged from fact that virtually all bminton competitions are played in front of a packed house.

"I've been part of two editions at Gold Coast and at Birmingham editions. It's very difficult to get a seat for any of rounds. I think it's definitely a very b decision for bminton community in general.

"I hope y (CWG organisers) will look into it and probably change it. As a part of bminton community, we are disappointed. We were definitely looking forward to defend our title." 

World Championship bronze medallist ded that national sports federations and government should take up issue with top-most authority in CWG.

"As far as boycotting event goes, I think it's in hand of government and associations to decide. I think it has to go at highest place. I think higher bodies have to be decisive and take it up to higher authorities.

"Not just for bminton, even hockey, wrestling, I think all sports which India does well at are being removed. I think it's definitely important that we fight for it." 

(With PTI Inputs)