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The decision to remove popular sports like hockey, badminton, wrestling, and table tennis from the Commonwealth Games (CWG) programme for Glasgow 2026 has sparked widespread disappointment and outrage among athletes, federations, and fans alike. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) announced a reduced 10-sport programme for the 2026 edition, leaving out several established and beloved sporting disciplines.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) expressed its disappointment, highlighting hockey's consistent presence at the Games since 1998. While acknowledging the exceptional circumstances surrounding the 2026 Games, the FIH emphasized that the decision was not indicative of hockey's future inclusion in the CWG. Similarly, the World Squash Federation and Scottish Squash expressed their frustration, particularly for Scottish and Commonwealth squash players who have been denied the opportunity to compete on home soil. The decision also drew criticism from former athletes, including Gagan Narang, a 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, who lamented the absence of shooting from the Games, a sport that has been a part of previous editions.
The CGF's justification for the reduced sport programme cited the challenging nature of hosting the Games in a short timeframe after the withdrawal of the Victorian government. The decision has, however, been met with criticism, with many questioning the rationale behind excluding popular sports that have a strong following within the Commonwealth. The Games' watered-down version has been met with disappointment and a sense of injustice among athletes and fans, who feel that the CGF has prioritized a limited number of sports over the broader appeal and inclusivity of the Commonwealth Games.
Source: Uproar! Axing popular sports from CWG leads to widespread disappointment