The upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games (CWG), set to take place in Glasgow, will bring significant changes, including a reduced lineup of just 10 sports. These decisions have stirred discussions, especially in countries like India, which has a strong medal-winning history in multiple disciplines.
Key Changes in CWG 2026
The most notable shift in the 2026 edition is the exclusion of six major sports in which India had significant success during the 2022 CWG. These six sports alone contributed 30 medals to India’s total tally of 61 medals in 2022.
Sports Dropped from 2026 CWG:
Badminton
Cricket
Hockey
Squash
Table Tennis
Wrestling
The absence of these disciplines has raised concerns among athletes and sports enthusiasts, given their impact on India’s medal performance and global sporting visibility.
A Glimpse into CWG History
First Edition: Held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada.
Host Rotation: Conducted every four years, bringing together athletes from Commonwealth nations.
India’s Host Year: India hosted the CWG in 2010 in New Delhi, marking a milestone for the country in terms of sports infrastructure and performance.
The Road Ahead
While the changes in the 2026 Commonwealth Games offer new challenges, they also provide an opportunity for athletes to diversify their skillsets and focus on other disciplines. At the same time, discussions on balancing tradition with innovation in the CWG format will continue as sports bodies and nations prepare for this revised edition.
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