New Delhi: The ladies’s nationwide boxing championship to be held in Larger Noida this week is about to begin below the shadow of fierce inner squabble inside the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) whose key officers are at loggerheads within the run-up to the March 28 elections. The match was postponed twice this yr, and on Wednesday BFI president Ajay Singh claimed that an try is being made by some officers to cease boxers from collaborating within the championships.
Lovlina Borgohain is being stopped to take part in nationwide championships, claimed BFI president. (REUTERS)
The match will happen from March 21-27 on the Gautam Buddha College in Larger Noida. Singh mentioned BFI secretary common Hemanta Kumar Kalita, who was suspended on Tuesday on fees of “financial irregularities” and subsequent investigation, is exerting strain on boxers from Assam, together with Tokyo Olympics medallist Lovlina Borgohain, to withdraw from the Nationals. Kalita can also be the secretary of Assam Newbie Boxing Affiliation.
“Players are being blocked from coming to the national championship. Mr Kalita and some federations are doing this. Lovlina (Borgohain) had, in fact, recorded a video of support (to the event) saying that she will be participating but we recently got a call that she has been asked by Mr Kalita not to participate in the championship. She owes a lot to Assam boxing and she is reconsidering her participation. I sincerely hope that this is not true,” Singh advised reporters right here.
The build-up to the BFI elections has been chaotic and the executive wrangling has impacted the ladies’s championship. Kalita took out a discover final week stating as many as 18 state associations have known as for postponement of the match because it was introduced at a really brief discover. BFI president Singh then issued one other mail asserting that the championship was on.
A coach conscious of developments mentioned states like Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and North Jap states Assam and Tripura should not sending groups. With ballot fortunes of some state officers going downhill in BFI elections, they’ve determined to hit again with vengeance and withdraw the groups.
“It is very confusing. There are different letters circulating. Boxers are asking us about the status,” mentioned a coach who didn’t want to be named.
Former worldwide and world champion boxer Sarita Devi known as it an unlucky scenario. “It is very disappointing that boxers are being dragged into politics. Boxers should not suffer. They prepare for competitions. So much is at stake in Nationals. There are important international events coming up and they need to prepare. I know how much we have suffered when there was no federation. Now boxing is doing well. We are now winning medals at world championships and this momentum should not get derailed,” Sarita advised HT.
Sarita, who runs her academy in Imphal, mentioned Manipur has despatched a six-member workforce that features boxers from her academy.
BFI has posted movies of prime boxers like world champions Nikhat Zareen and Nitu Ghanghas to clear the air on the conduct of the championship.
Singh mentioned BFI pays for the expense of boxers who’re being denied an opportunity to compete by their respective state models. “I would like to appeal to all state associations that they must set politics aside. You have no right to play with the rights and careers of young boxers who have trained so hard for this opportunity to represent the state. The Indian team also gets selected from the Nationals so to deprive them is a great shame,” he mentioned.
“If any state federation is stopping their boxers or cancelling their tickets and other arrangements made for boxers, the BFI will pay for each of these boxers to come and participate. We will provide tickets and hotel accommodation,” Singh added.
UP Boxing Affiliation secretary Pramod Kumar mentioned the preparation is in full swing. “We have received entries from 22 state units as of now and we are not expecting more entries in the coming days. We want to ensure that all state associations participate and no boxer is left out,” he mentioned.