New Delhi, April 27: Paris 2024 double medallist Manu Bhaker did not hold back her disappointment over shooting's continued absence from the Commonwealth Games, but struck an optimistic tone about its likely return when India hosts the 2030 edition.
Speaking on the sidelines of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI)'s 75th anniversary celebrations on Monday (April 27), the 10m and 25m air pistol specialist reflected on both the setback and the opportunity ahead.
CWG Absence a Blow for Indian Shooting: Manu Bhaker
Shooting, one of India's strongest medal-producing sports at the Commonwealth Games, will once again be missing at the Glasgow 2026 CWG, just as it was at Birmingham 2022.
For Bhaker, whose own breakthrough came on this stage, the exclusion hits close to home. "My first major breakthrough was
at the Commonwealth Games in 2018. it's sad that shooting is not there now," she said.
That breakthrough came at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, where Bhaker, then just 16, clinched gold in the Women's 10m Air Pistol. She set a Games record of 240.9 in the final after already breaking the qualification record earlier with 388/400, announcing herself on the global stage.
India, too, dominated shooting in that edition with 16 total medals - including 7 gold, 4 silver, and 5 bronze. The absence of the sport significantly dents India's medal prospects and limits opportunities for shooters to compete on a major multi-sport stage.
CWG 2030: A Homecoming Opportunity
Despite the disappointment, Bhaker is already looking ahead to 2030, when India (city of Ahmedabad) is set to host the Commonwealth Games - an edition where shooting is widely expected to return. "I am looking forward to 2030. it will be our home crowd, our arena. I'm sure India will do great. "
India's historical strength in shooting, combined with its hosting rights, makes a compelling case for the sport's inclusion. A home Games could also provide the perfect platform for the next generation of shooters to shine.
Growth Beyond the CWG Stage
While the CWG absence is a setback, Bhaker emphasised that the sport itself is on a strong upward trajectory in India. "In the last 10-15 years, I've seen massive growth. participation has increased across all disciplines. "
She credited the NRAI's structured system and athlete-first approach for creating a stable environment that allows shooters to focus purely on performance. "All that I have today is mostly because of shooting, and shooting happened because of NRAI. "
The federation's grassroots push-including plans to introduce over 7.5 lakh youngsters to the sport-and its digital initiatives are expected to further strengthen the pipeline.
Focus on the Road Ahead
Even as discussions around the CWG continue, Bhaker remains firmly focused on immediate goals, including the Asian Games and World Championships.
"Me and my coach (Jaspal Rana) have made a solid plan. now it's about putting in more effort and executing it well. "
A rising force in global shooting and now a double medallist at Paris 2024, Bhaker embodies the new generation of Indian shooters-confident, structured, and forward-looking.
For now, the absence of shooting at the Commonwealth Games remains a sore point. But with India 2030 on the horizon, there is renewed hope - not just for the sport's return, but for a grand showcase on home soil.
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