State to consider Vijender’s request for leave without pay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 2

As star boxer Vijender Singh met Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Sports Minister Anil Vij and DGP Yashpal Singhal to put across his point of view of his decision to turn professional, the government is likely to consider boxer’s request for leave without pay.

There was no official confirmation on this, sources said and added the ace boxer, who is a DSP with the Haryana Police, has moved an application for one-year leave without pay to the Home Department through the DGP. Singhal, however, could not be contacted.

During his meetings with Khattar and Vij, Vijender reportedly explained the circumstances under which he had to turn a professional boxer which would debar him from representing the country in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Since he had already represented the country in three Olympics and boxing was among a few sports where professional players are not allowed to play in the amateur category, he had to take the decision to turn professional, he told the Chief Minister and Vij, sources said.

He assured both of them to continue grooming state’s budding boxers, sources said.

Vijender told the media that any action would be taken “within the system”. He exuded confidence that he would join professional training in the second week of July, giving credence to reports that he had already applied for leave without pay. “Everything will be alright….you wait and watch,” he said. Vijender reportedly signed a multi-year promotional agreement with Queensberry Promotions through IOS Sports and Entertainment on Monday in London.