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Former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia expressed hope that the 2030 edition of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) to be held in India will be organised on a bigger scale, with many sports not included in the ongoing edition making their return to the schedule.
India kicked off its Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow on Thursday, with a 124-member contingent aiming to make the most of a drastically reduced competition programme. The programme for CWG 2026 features 10 core sports and six para-sports. A lot of sports which have enriched India's medal count over the years, such as wrestling, hockey, cricket, badminton, table tennis etc are missing from the programme, dealing a massive blow to India's medal count. Indian able-bodied athletes will compete across eight disciplines, including athletics, boxing, weightlifting, judo, artistic gymnastics, track cycling, bowls and swimming. Meanwhile, India's para-athletes will compete across five disciplines, including para-athletics, 3x3 wheelchair basketball, para-powerlifting, para-swimming and para-track cycling. Speaking to the media, Bhutia said, "I think, unfortunately the Commonwealth Games have not become as big as it was supposed to be. Only ten sports are included in the Commonwealth Games, and many sports were removed, where India could have won medals, such as boxing and wrestling. It was supposed to be held in Australia, but now it is being hosted by Scotland. I hope when it is held in India, many sports will be revived and brought back. There should be many more sports included, and it should be organised in India on a bigger scale." The marquee athletics competition will take place from July 27 to August 1 at Scotstoun Stadium. Former Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra will lead India's charge in track and field, with the men's javelin throw final scheduled for August 1. Chopra will be aiming to reclaim the Commonwealth Games title after missing the opportunity to defend his crown at Birmingham 2022 due to injury. The Indian javelin star had won gold at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, establishing himself as one of the country's leading track and field athletes. Weightlifting events will be held from July 26 to 30, with two-time Commonwealth Games champion and Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu leading India's medal hopes in the discipline. India's Pinki Singh and Rupa Rani Tirkey began their Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign with a hard-fought victory in the women's pairs event, while Putul Sonowal stunned reigning world champion Ryan Bester of Canada in the men's singles competition in lawn bowls at the Scottish Event Campus on Thursday, according to Olympics.com. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) confirmed the awarding of 2030 CWG hosting rights to Ahmedabad, India, by Commonwealth Sport in November, with the competition marking 100 years of the Commonwealth Movement. (ANI)
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