BI-IOA standoff: Boxers determined to put up fight in National Gamess

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

New Delhi, december 27

 

The divisive stand-off between the Boxing India (BI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) notwithstanding, the country's top pugilists have confirmed their participation for the next month's National Games in Kerala.

 

The bitter face-off between the BI and IOA had threatened to jeopardise the participation of pugilists at the National Games  but Olympic and World Championship bronze-medallist Vijender Singh, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Manoj Kumar, and CWG bronze medallist Pinki Jangra have refused to become a punching bag in the fight for recognition between the two bodies.

 

“In this fight between the BI and IOA, it's the boxers who are actually suffering. We don't want to suffer anymore. National Games is an important event and in no way I am going to miss it,” Vijender told The Tribune. Vijender said he would not be participating in the senior men's nationals in Nagpur from January 9-15, which will double up as the National Games qualifiers, with the quarter-finalists assured of berths.

“There is a provision under BI regulations for a wild-card entry for the Games. I would request the BI to accept my entry under the same rule,” he added. Manoj, who was recently conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award, urged the IOA to grant recognition to the BI so as to pave the way for pugilists’ smooth participation in the future international competitions.

“When AIBA has recognised the BI as the national federation, I don't see any reason for the IOA to reject their appeal. I am not going to let my career suffer because of this infighting. I have confirmed my participation for both the senior nationals and the Kerala Games,” he said.

Pinki (Haryana) and Pavitra (Tripura) have already sent their entries to their respective boxing associations after qualifying for the Games in October. But, the road to participation in the Games is not that smooth for the elite boxers as the IOA has declared that boxing events will be organised under the ad-hoc committee.

There had been talks that boxers, who would play under the ad-hoc committee banner in the Games, will not be considered for India selection, but the BI quelled all such speculations.

“We are not going to impose any sanctions on the boxers. BI is not planning any such drastic step. Boxers have to make a choice who would they like to support — BI or the IOA. We cannot stop them from taking part in the Games. Those who play in the senior nationals will qualify for the Games as their entries will be routed through BI,” BI secretary Jay Kowli told The Tribune.

Kowli also informed that the BI's Executive Committee Meeting has been postponed from December 29 in Delhi to January 8 in Nagpur.

“We will discuss three major issues in the meeting — IOA's refusal to grant us recognition and the way forward, decisions taken during our three months’ tenure, and 2016 Rio Olympic qualifiers,” Kowli added.