Kiren Rijiju on CWG excluding shooting: NRAI, IOA stands are justified

The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju has said that he “totally” stands with the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) over their stance on shooting's exclusion from the CWG. He added that the sentiments of both federations are justified. This comes after the IOA's Secretary General Rajeev Mehta wrote a letter to the Regional Vice President of Commonwealth Games, Sports Chris Chan, about the matter, mentioning in the letter that India’s requests are being overlooked even though it is the only country in Asia that has hosted the Commonwealth Games in the last two decades. Kiren Rijiju himself penned a request a few weeks ago to include shooting in the CWG of 2022. 

Sports Minister supports IOA and NRAI 

The Sports Minister, Kiren Rijiju, said, “I totally stand with the rifle association of India as well as the IOA. The sentiments are fully justified. The Commonwealth organising committee or the executive council did not take into account the sentiments of India. Every decision taken will be in the interest of the country and sportspersons. We will take an appropriate call". The Indian Olympic Association has said that Narinder Batra is fully authorised to speak on behalf of Commonwealth sport in India. This comes after Narinder Batra was slammed by many sportspeople last week for saying that the Commonwealth Games is a waste of time and the country should consider a permanent pullout. He made a statement in context with the axing of shooting from the Games due to logistical issues. The IOA supported Narinder Batra because CWG is supported by the Executive Council and General Body. 

Read: Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju strives to include Shooting in 2022 CWG

‘Good response to it India Movement’  

Meanwhile, Kiren Rijiju also said that since the country has responded really well to the ‘Fit India Movement’ he is expecting a good turnout for the 'Fit India Plogging Run' on October 2. The government will be organising several two-km-long runs to promote plogging across the country starting October 2. Kiren Rijiju said, "Plog in run or Plogging means you jog or run and collect the litter and plastics to keep yourself fit and society clean. Its a combination of Swachh Bharat and Fit India movement both initiated by our Prime Minister. Now it is my duty as Sports Minister to take it forward and make it popular as a national movement."

Read: Rijiju: "Thinking of the Congress and Imran Khan is identical" 

He added, "Fitness and cleanliness are two sides of the same coin. Our idea is to combine both and make the individual fit and society clean. On the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, it's an appropriate time to launch this movement". 

(With ANI Inputs)

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