Ignored by Punjab, Centre gives job to 29-year-old boxer

Simranjit Kaur, the dynamic 29-year-old boxer from Chakar village in Ludhiana, continues to make waves in the world of boxing, securing a silver medal at the prestigious 8th Elite Women’s National Championship. Competing in the 62-65 kg weight category, Kaur fought valiantly in the final against Neeraj Phogat, ultimately losing by a narrow 3-4 decision. Despite missing out on the gold, her performance further reinforces her status as one of India’s top boxers.

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“I am determined to stay on the path of success. My preparations for the Asian Championship have already begun, and I am training intensively at the Punjab State Institute of Sports (PIS) in Mohali,” Kaur said, reflecting her intense commitment to the sport. Her daily schedule includes rigorous three-hour training sessions, both morning and evening.

Simranjit’s journey to success has been anything but easy, but her achievements are undeniable. As the first female boxer from Punjab to represent India at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Kaur etched her name into history. In 2021, she became the first woman boxer from her state to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award. Despite taking a brief hiatus, she made a strong comeback, advancing to the final of the recent national championship.

Her impressive national record includes gold medals at the 2022 and 2023 national championships. On the international stage, she claimed gold at the Cologne Boxing Championship (Germany, 2020), silver at the Boxam International Boxing Tournament (Spain, 2021) and a silver at the 2019 Asian Women’s Boxing Championship, as well as a bronze in 2021, among other notable wins.

Kaur’s foray into boxing began in 2010, transitioning from an academic-focused life to one of athletic dedication. Her rise was meteoric, with early successes such as a bronze at the Junior National Women’s Championship followed by silver and eventually, her first gold medal in 2013.

However, despite her growing list of accolades, Kaur’s journey hasn’t been without frustration. She expressed disappointment over the lack of support from the Punjab government. “Punjab ignored my achievements, did not offer me a government job and politicians kept making empty promises,” Kaur revealed.

It was only last year that the Government of India recognised Kaur’s talent, offering her a position as an Income Tax Inspector in Chandigarh. “I am grateful to the Government of India for recognising my abilities. It’s disheartening when your own state overlooks a player who has brought so much pride to it,” Kaur said, reflecting on the contrast between her recognition at the national level and her neglect at the state level.