the decision of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to seek permission of the Government to boycott the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, due in 2022, is shocking and unfortunate. And the reason given by the IOA for arriving at such an unprecedented decision is even more shocking and unfortunate. Because according to the top authorities of the IOA, it has less to do with sporting matters and more for very extraneous reason, which smacks of bias and politics. The IOA has accused the host organisers of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games of nursing colonial bias against India for dropping shooting from the Games, where India holds the upper hand and instead adding three other sports events in its place.

 

The IOA, of course, has not taken such a decision unilaterally because it is aware of the political implications and diplomatic nuances between Britain and India. Hence, very prudently the IOA has sought the permission of Union Sports Minister Mr. Kiren Rijiju to decide on the sensitive matter. In a letter written to the Sports Minister, a hurt President of IOA Mr. Narinder Batra has accused the host nation of colonial mindset and reminded them that India is no longer a colony of Britain. He has said that only because India is a dominant power in international shooting the Birmingham Games organisers have dropped shooting to bring down India’s over all standing.

Not only that Mr. Batra has also alleged that whenever India appeared to be doing well, either the rules have been changed or the goal-posts have been shifted. These are very serious charges and need to be investigated by global sports bodies. If such is the attitude of the organisers towards one country which is emerging as a prominent global power in several fields of human endeavour, then there is need for the Government to look into Mr. Batra’s allegations and take up the matter at the highest level. Because issues which have political tone are best dealt with at diplomatic level.

In the 2018 Goldcoast Games shooting had contributed 16 medals to India’s over all tally of 66 and was placed third among medal winners. Withdrawal of shooting will be a big blow to the country. If the Government permits IOA to withdraw from the Birmingham Games it will be a big blow to rest of the sports persons who must be preparing for the event day and night and for years. They must have invested lot of mental, physical and financial resources, individually and collectively. Besides absence of a major competitor from such an international event will rob it of the gravitas. The best course, therefore, would be to mount a diplomatic effort to avoid withdrawal. Prejudices should have no place in such events.