Karachi: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has decided to formally write to the Commonwealth Games Federation about wrestling and hockey’s absence from the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The POA would formally write to the federation, requesting that it reevaluate its decision to disqualify these sports, which are thought to be Pakistan’s chances of winning a medal in the competition.
Numerous people have previously criticized the decision to exclude wrestling and hockey from the Glasgow Games.
The Indian Olympic body is unsatisfied with the ruling and will probably join POA in writing to the Commonwealth sports body to request to add wrestling and hockey.
POA stated, “We are planning to write a letter this week to express our concerns over removal of these sports and to request them to reconsider their decision.”
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It also stated that the Commonwealth Games Association of Pakistan (in this case, the POA) had suggested to CGF officials that wrestling and hockey be included in the next Games during a recent regional meeting that took place in Male, Maldives, on September 24–25, 2024. Additionally, they wrote to support the inclusion of these sports.
The POA plans to take up the issue once again with the CGF.
The Commonwealth Games Federation was said to have eliminated several important sports from the competition, including cricket, shooting, hockey, and wrestling.
Badminton, table tennis, squash, rugby sevens, beach volleyball, and mountain biking are among the other sports that are also excluded.
With 46 medals, including 21 golds, wrestling has been one of Pakistan’s most successful sports at the Commonwealth Games.
The elimination of Pakistan’s hockey team significantly reduces the nation’s chances of winning medals in the Commonwealth Games, where it has previously won numerous medals.
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There would also be no cricket, which was a feature of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Pakistan’s chances of winning a medal are further diminished by this absence, considering how good their cricket team is.
Pakistan has won three Commonwealth Games medals in shooting (two bronze and one silver), although the sport has also been removed from the 2026 schedule.
Pakistan’s cumulative medal total from all Commonwealth Games appearances is 27 gold, 27 silver, and 28 bronze.
