India makes a strong case for including wrestling, archery and kabaddi at CWG’s regional meet

The Indian Olympic Association, led by IOA president PT Usha, on April 23 made a strong case for the inclusion of archery, wrestling and kabaddi as regular sports in the Commonwealth Games roster at CGF’s Asia and Oceania regional meet.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on April 23 made a strong case for the inclusion of archery, wrestling and kabaddi as regular sports in Commonwealth Games roster at CGF's Asia and Oceania regional meet.

While kabaddi has never been a part of CWG programme, shooting and archery are two disciplines where Indian athletes have had excellent performances in past editions before it was done away during previous Games in Birmingham.

The Indian delegation, led by IOA president P.T. Usha along with its acting CEO and joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey and executive council member Lt Gen Harpal Singh met the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Dame Louise Martin and her team to discuss and deliberate topics for development of Indian sports with regards to the strategic plan being proposed by CGF.

"I welcome the steps taken on return of shooting in the 2026 Victoria Commonwealth Games. At the same time, we have sought the intervention of the CGF leadership to make Archery, Wrestling and Kabaddi as part of the Games competition roster in future," Usha was quoted as saying in a media release.

CGF and the Commonwealth Games Australia had earlier unveiled the full sport programme for Victoria 2026 CWG, featuring 20 sports and 26 disciplines, including nine fully integrated para sports.

Shooting returns at the 2026 CWG Games after being controversially dropped from the 2022 Birmingham edition.

Shooting has been India's strongest sport in the Commonwealth Games with 135 medals (63 gold, 44 silver and 28 bronze) till now.