The postponement of the boxing trials for the Asian Games has left Olympic bronze medallist MC Mary Kom fuming as she termed this last-minute schedule change as highly “unprofessional” on the part of the organisers.
The IOA Ad-hoc Committee, which is managing the boxing affairs, decided to postpone tomorrow’s trials on the request of the Commonwealth Games medal winners but failed to communicate to all the boxers in time. “I was in the training camp for months, leaving my little children in Manipur. I was raring to have a go but now this has left me demoralised and confused. I don’t understand why the Ad-hoc Committee didn’t inform us earlier,” Mary, the five-time World champion said.
The most decorated woman pugilist of India, Mary made no bones about the fact that postponement had demoralising effect on her as she had reached Patiala couple days before the trials in order to give her best shot.
While Mary was in Patiala, the core group of women boxers from Delhi were already on the Patiala-bound bus in the morning but decided to return mid-way after learning about the schedule change. “I’ve a lot of respect for (CWG) medal winners but we should’ve been informed in time. It’s not good and highly unprofessional. When one is mentally prepared for the trials and if it doesn’t take place, it’s not ideal situation for a boxer,” the anger in her voice was palpable.