'Boycott to withdrawal' IOA still threatens a pullout from 2022 CWG

much-hyped meeting between Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Thursday turned out to be a damp scuib with both parties refusing to budge from ir respective positions as uncertainty still loomed large on India's participation in 2022 CWG in Birmingham."We broke an ice. We had a fruitful discussion. We had dialogues with an open mind and that was important," was common refrain from both sides juggling around with words but basic content remained same.

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differences between CGF and IOA

While CGF pointed out that shooting was never a core sports and was always remained an optional one and its inclusion or exclusion entirely depended on host city, squarely blaming Organising Committee (OC) of Birmingham for its n inclusion, IOA made it clear that y have t backed down from ir demand of pulling out from 2022 Games.

"I must use right word. It's t boycott which we said six months back. right word is withdrawal. Our stand continues. We are still contemplating withdrawal. IOA Executive Committee and General Body will take a final call on issue," IOA president Narendra Batra told newspersons in presence of CGF President and CEO.

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Rajiv Mehta gives a clarification 

IOA secretary general Rajiv Mehta, however, seemed busy clarifying why shooting was t included exposing that IOA was a divided house with many in favour of participating despite shooting's exclusion.CGF President Dame Luise Martin said y understood IOA's concern but at this st, re wasn't any solution as matter was t with m anymore and call was taken by OC. "But we will organise a separate Commonwealth Shooting Championship and may add medals of that event into total medals tally of Games."India has been winning most of its medals including gold in shooting in previous editions of CWG and its exclusion will have a direct bearing on India's medals tally.

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