Concerned about the administrative logjam in Indian boxing, Olympic bronze-medallist M C Mary Kom on Monday said future seems dark for the country’s pugilists, who are losing motivation to train.
India does not have a national federation after the International Boxing Association (AIBA) terminated Boxing India last year. The sport is being administered by an ad-hoc committee.
The five-time world champion hoped the administrators would put their house in order before the much-anticipated Rio Olympics in August this year.
“Yes, they (the boxers) are all demotivated. There’s no competition, so it’s very frustrating. Whatever effort they’re putting is of no use. They’re being patient enough but the future is dark for them without any competition. If there’s no National Championship, we won’t have any new boxers that means no hope for future. Future will be dark,” Kom told. “For seniors at least this South Asian Games have come up and the qualification (Zonal Olympic qualifiers in Qian’an next month) is coming up. That’s why we’re trying hard. Or else it will just be reduced to ‘time-pass’.”
However, Mary Kom strongly believed the sport won’t die. “It won’t die but they’re suffering. They will not go immediately change their game. Every athlete will be happy if the family is in order.”
Asked whether she’s upset, Mary Kom said: “Why should IIJ It’s not my problem, I’m doing my duty to qualify for Olympics. Not getting exposure is not my problem.”
Mary Kom has a new team provided by the Olympic Gold Quest in coach Chhote lal Yadav, senior physiotherapist Poornima Raman Ngomdir and sports science expert Nikhil late and she expressed confidence that she would qualify soon.
“This team has a lot of experience. We’re much better prepared now. We’re doing the same, it’s tough no doubt. But we’re doing our best to better my performance. My husband (K Onler Kom) is giving me full support without whom it’s difficult,” Mary Kom said.
State units hold meeting with ad-hoc panel
Making another attempt at sorting the administrative mess in Indian boxing, representatives of 18 state units held a meeting with the AIBA ad-hoc committee and the coordination panel to discuss formation of a new federation.
The meeting was also attended by four government units and the draft of a new constitution was circulated to get the observations.
“The observations would be put forwarded to the International Federation (AIBA) within seven days for ratification. We’re trying our best to secure Indian boxers participation in Rio Olympics (in August this year),” chairman of the Sports Ministry-constituted coordination committee Asit Banerjee told.
The next meeting of these stakeholders would be held within three weeks in Kolkata to take the discussions forward.