MATT French has voiced his disappointment at the exclusion of shooting from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games after organisers again defended their decision.

The controversial move was made in December 2017.

But the debate has resurfaced after the Indian Olympic Association sought approval of a proposed boycott of the event from the country’s sports ministry if the decision was not changed.

Shooting, an optional sport for host cities, has featured at every Games since 1966, with the exception of 1970.

But in a statement, Ian Reid, chief executive officer for Birmingham 2022, said the proposed location in Bisley, Surrey, “offered little or no benefit to the West Midlands”.

He added the process had been “fair, logical and transparent” and the sport, which expressed a desire to be part of the Games in September 2018, was offered the opportunity to submit an alternative proposal.

However, shooting’s governing bodies rejected the compromise of finding a Birmingham-based proposal for just two of its four disciplines.

French, from Oakley, near Aston Rowant, won silver in the double trap at the 2014 Games.

He has since switched to the skeet discipline and is unhappy at shooting’s exclusion.

“It’s shocking,” said French.

“I just don’t see how they could have come to that (decision).

“If Birmingham couldn’t host the Commonwealth Games in its full traditional format then they shouldn’t have put the bid in, because it’s not doing the event justice.

“Shooting has been such a prominent part of the Games for a long time.”

The 38-year-old added: “They must have set about with the opinion they were not having it from the start, which is the most annoying thing.

“We would have travelled anywhere for it, just to be a part of another multi-sport games.

“It was there (Bisley) for Manchester (in 2002) and it wasn’t deemed too far away then. The last time I looked at a map, Birmingham is closer.”

The assessment panel proposed adding women’s cricket, para table tennis and beach volleyball to the event.

The Commonwealth Games Federation’s Executive Board approved the suggestions, which are now subject to a vote.