Melbourne. Shooting will return to the Commonwealth Games (CWG) schedule in Victoria, Australia in 2026, but India will be disappointed if wrestling is left out. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and Commonwealth Games Australia on Wednesday announced the full sports schedule for the Victoria 2026 CWG, comprising 20 sports and 26 events. Nine of them are for para sports only. While the return of shooting in these sports is a welcome step for India, the withdrawal from wrestling is disappointing. Shooting was omitted from the list of previous games held in Birmingham.

Shooting has so far been India’s strongest sport at the Commonwealth Games with 135 medals (63 gold, 44 silver and 28 bronze). Wrestling is third on the list with 114 (49 gold, 39 silver and 26 bronze) medals. India won 16 medals (seven gold, four silver and five bronze) in shooting at the Gold Coast season 2018, which accounts for about 25% of the country’s total of 66 medals.

Did not get a chance in IPL for 8 years, had to leave the country, after Pakistan and England, there was a commotion in India too.

The addition of parachuting to CWG 2026 will also increase India’s medal tally. But not wrestling will hurt the team. India won the most medals (six gold, one silver, five bronze) in wrestling at the Birmingham Games. The game is four in a row since 2010. Archery, on the other hand, has been part of the Commonwealth Games only twice. It participated in these Games in 1982 and 2010 and India finished second in archery in the number of medals in these Games.

IND vs SA: Can Rishabh Pant become an Adam Gilchrist-style opener for India?

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had written to the CGF in April this year to include shooting, wrestling and archery in the 2026 CWG. He described the decision to drop the trio from the initial list of games as ‘shocking’. Golf, 3×3 basketball, 3×3 wheelchair basketball, coastal rowing, track shooting, parachuting, BMX racing, mountain bike cross-country, track cycling and para-cycling are included in the list. Coastal rowing, golf and BMX will be part of the Commonwealth Games for the first time.

T20 WC: Rahul Dravid revealed his intention to leave for Australia soon.

According to a media release issued by the CGF, ‘Victoria 2026 also proposes to add para events to golf, coastal rowing and road races. They will work with the Commonwealth Games Federation and relevant international sports federations on sports affiliation. CGF President Lewis Martin said, “The Games are set to be competitive and full of adventure, including a fully integrated para-sports programme. Coastal rowing, golf and BMX launch and shooting and 3×3 basketball return to it. Will make it interesting.

The upcoming Commonwealth Games will be held from 17 to 29 March (2026) in the state of Victoria, Australia, in several cities and regional centers including Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland. It will be inaugurated at the prestigious Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Hindi News 18 Be the first to read breaking news in Hindi. Today’s Latest News, Live News Updates, Most Trusted Hindi News Website News18 Hindi| Read on

Tags: Australia, Commonwealth Games, the boat