GLASGOW yesterday unveiled the 17 sports which they will include on the 2014 Commonwealth Games programme if they win the vote over Abuja and Halifax in November this year.
The choice was explicitly dictated by the need to secure the votes of the Commonwealth nations when they meet in Sri Lanka.
Jack McConnell, the first minister, and Louise Martin, chair of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland (CGCS), said as much yesterday in announcing them.
Sadly, some glorious innovations have been stranded before the starting gate, and a great opportunity to revitalise the Games, and stamp Scotland's exclusive marque upon them, has been sacrificed on the altar of pragmatism.
The 17 sports are dully predictable. There are 10 compulsory core sports: athletics, aquatics, lawn bowls, rugby, netball, boxing, badminton, squash, weightlifting and hockey. The last five of these were added at a Commonwealth Federation meeting in Kuala Lumpur last November. The additional ones named yesterday are shooting, cycling, wrestling, judo, gymnastics, table tennis and triathlon.
These are all worthy sports, but there had been the hint of innovation and excitement.
The CGCS had succeeded in having golf made eligible for consideration at the Games in Melbourne last year. But in restructuring the way events are selected just three months ago, golf was relegated to a third tier from which sports can't currently be chosen. That was also the fate of rowing, fencing and basketball.
Loch Lomond had already expressed interest in hosting the golf tournament, which would have been for amateurs. It would have showcased the sport and the country to a global audience.
Elsewhere in the golfing fraternity angst may be defused. The Ryder Cup is in Scotland that year, and some have suggested the corporate sponsorship market would be overstretched with golf on the Games programme.
Mrs Martin admitted: "The choice was very much driven by the need to win the vote, and we are very disappointed to lose cricket and golf. They were on our preferred programme, but our hands were tied."
Agreement could not be reached between the Inter-national Cricket Council and the Commonwealth federation for the inclusion of Twenty20. Despite hints that the reason is because their international programme is too busy, the ICC seem to be hugely exercised over retaining control over a version of the game which is in danger of attracting vast numbers of new adherents to the sport.
They have control of the Twenty20 brand. What a pity it did not occur to Glasgow organisers to introduce 20.14 cricket - 20 overs plus one ball, with the introduction of a simple decimal place. A new ball game to be sure, but one which the ICC could hardly have touched.
Imagine every Caribbean country with their steel bands pulsating around the Games. Like golf it would have brought a new flavour.
The ICC and Commonwealth federation are still in discussion, but the federation would have to remove the cap of a maximum 17 sports, which Glasgow now already has. "We understand the federation would be prepared to give a dispensation, and we would, of course, accept cricket," said Mrs Martin.
What about the rejection of tennis? Scotland's national coach, Ellinore Lightbody, said: "It's bitterly disappointing, because we'd have loved to be in.
"Andy Murray is not our only successful player. He's one of a few developing a high profile in the game, and there are so few opportunities to represent Scotland. It's very much a missed opportunity."
Archery, in for Delhi 2010, but out for 2014, may experience funding cuts as a result, as basketball (in neither Delhi or Glasgow) will do.
Rowing has the frustration of a splendid facility at Strathclyde Park which will miss an outstanding chance to relive the glories of Edinburgh 1986, the last time the sport was in the Games.
Sailing was also an option which was discarded. The impact that would have made on the Clyde, off the likes of Gourock or Largs, would have been truly memorable.
"We had to select sports that will satisfy all countries of the Commonwealth," said Mrs Martin. "The sports we have selected do just that.
"It would have been nice to have events with an iconic backdrop, but we'll still have that, like bowls in the middle of the city at Kelvingrove."
But it won't resonate like some of the bold ideas which were in the original blueprint.
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