Commonwealth Games generate huge excitement among Indians and the fans have set even higher expectations for the forthcoming quadrennial games. That's because India's most popular sport, cricket is all set to make its first appearance in 24 years at the event. Apart from cricket, the highest ever para events will be played in Birmingham.
Here is everything which makes the 2022 CWG Games different from the previous editions.
The Games will be the first multi-sport event where women will be awarded more medals than men. Out of the 283 total medal events in Birmingham, 136 will be for women as compared to 134 for men. 13 medals will be awarded in the mixed events.
The 2022 Games are set to become the largest para-sport event in the history of CWG. The number of para events has also increased to 39 in Birmingham as compared to 36 in Gold Coast. Para events to be played in Birmingham are Aquatics (Swimming), Athletics, Basketball (3x3 wheelchair basketball), Cycling (Track), Lawn Bowls Men/Women, Powerlifting, Table Tennis, and Triathlon.
Women’s T20 Cricket: The Games will see the first appearance of women's cricket in CWG history. A total of 8 countries will fight for the medals including England, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Barbados and Sri Lanka.
Also read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Harmanpreet Kaur to lead India's 15-member squad
Wheelchair Basketball 3x3: The para event will be making its first appearance in the history of the Games and will be held at the Smithfield site. The six men’s teams are England, South Africa, Northern Ireland, Australia, Canada, and Malaysia. The six women’s teams are England, South Africa, Scotland, Australia, Canada, and Kenya.
Para Table Tennis: Another para event to be played for the first time in the games is Table Tennis. A total of 32 players with 16 of each gender will participate in this event.
For the first time since 1974, shooting hasn't been included in CWG. India won 16 medals in the Gold Coast 2018 including 7 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze medals and the exclusion will likely hamper India's position on the CWG medal tally. Archery has also been excluded from the 2022 Games.
A total of 3 major esports events will be featured at the tournament as a demonstration with a possibility of being added to the next CWG events. The inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championship will include both men and women and will have separate branding, medals, and organisation. Dota 2, eFootball series by Konami and Rocket League gaming titles will be played on August 6 and 7.
With Commonwealth Games 2022 to be played in Birmingham, England is set to host the event for the third time and first in the last 20 years. England hosted the CWG in 1934 in London and in 2002 in Manchester. The 2022 Games will be held in Birmingham from July 28 to August 8.
Also read: CWG 2022: Neeraj Chopra likely to be India's flag bearer in opening ceremony