New Delhi, Jun 21 (IANS): In a major blow to India, shooting was on Thursday left out of the 2022 Commonwealth Games programme.

"Our recommendation of adding women's cricket, beach volleyball and para table tennis is the result of a thorough review and we believe these sports would help us to enhance the existing programme and reach new audiences, while showcasing the sports to our local community, spectators and fans across the world, watching on TV," said Ian Reid, CEO of Birmingham 2022.

"It's also a selection that could help ensure that the 2022 Commonwealth Games will be the most inclusive in history, with a potential for the largest ever para-sports programme and more female medallists than ever before, representing a great story not just for Birmingham 2022, but for women's sport in general."

This decision was approved by the Executive Board of the Commonwealth Games as they included women's cricket, beach volleyball and para table tennis into the Games programme for the Birmingham edition.