THE British government is seeking to reach a compromise with India over the South Asian country's threat to boycott the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 over the exclusion of shooting from the programme.
Indian shooters accounted for 16 of the country's 66 medals at last year's Gold Coast Games and its Olympic Association (IOA) will soon make a decision on whether to follow through on its boycott threat.
British sports minister Nigel Adams said he was hopeful of a compromise that could see his country stage a truncated shooting event at Birmingham 2022 or a Commonwealth shooting championships that will not be part of the Birmingham programme.
"I totally understand how passionate people are about shooting across the Commonwealth," Adams told British media.
"We want India to be here, no question.
"I have already written to the Commonwealth Federation to see if we can accommodate shooting in some form, maybe a Commonwealth shooting championships.
"It's important that we do get competition in 2022. It's great for the economy. I understand the federation is still talking to the bodies and I am hopeful there can be an accommodation and a compromise made."
Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Louise Martin said this week that the decision to exclude shooting from Birmingham 2022 had come down to a question of logistics.
The closest facility to Birmingham deemed capable by organisers of hosting a full shooting programme is in Bisley, Surrey, about 130 miles away.
CGF chief executive David Grevemberg said he would reach out to officials on the Indian side to try and convince them not to boycott.
"India is a critical member of the Commonwealth, we want Indian athletes to participate, and there is a strong Indian community in Birmingham which wants to celebrate these athletes," Grevemberg said.
(Reuters)
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)