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No ring as boxers wait for hours as start of nationals delayed
The National Boxing Championships in Greater Noida faced major delays and organizational issues, with only three women's bouts held after a four-hour wait.
New Delhi: The National Boxing Championships (Elite Men and Women) scheduled at the Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida faced major organisational shortcomings on the first day of the competition on Sunday. The meet was to start at 2pm, but was delayed by more than four hours as boxing rings were still being set up.
On a cold day, boxers were waiting for their bouts since afternoon with no clue when they would start. Around 80 bouts in men and women were scheduled. Boxers waited in the hall for long hours, stretching themselves to stay warm and ready. The tournament finally started at 6:30 pm as organisers managed to put up two rings but the delay was so long that the day’s schedule of 80o bouts could not be completed. Only three of the 38 bouts in the women’s competition could be held. World Champion Minakshi Hooda, one of the star attractions on the first day, was pitted against Tamil Nadu’s Lakshaya S Vijayan in the 45-48kg weight class. She was first up at 2pm but her bout has now been rescheduled for Monday. The three women’s bouts held were in 51kg and two in 54kg.
“It’s a complete mess,” said a coach whose trainee was to take the ring early. “When we reached the venue we were surprised to see it was not ready. We have been waiting for hours for the competition to start. Boxers have done their warm ups several times and had to take rest because the ring was not fixed. Who will be responsible if they are injured in this cold weather? There was no official explanation for the delay,” the coach said.
“The boxers have spent so much energy today only to be told that their bouts will be held tomorrow. Is this the way a national championship is conducted?”
Boxing Federation of India executive director Arun Malik said: “The university gates were closed at night, therefore the rings and other equipment could not be brought in. We are trying our best to start the tournament as early as possible,” he told HT.
There are also several issues reported in accommodation and transport. “The rooms allotted are in poor, unhygienic and unacceptable condition. Washrooms are not clean and the blankets and bed sheets are dirty,” a coach complained in one of the boxing social media groups for the national championship.
Around 600 boxers which includes the likes of two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen, reigning worlds medallists Jaismine Lamboria, Pooja Rani and Nupur Sheoran are competing in the event.
A coach from one of the institution teams said they were told to have made their own arrangements. “Departmental teams have been asked to look for their own accommodation. We came here three days ago and made our own arrangements. We have some of India’s top boxers and we cannot afford to take a chance,” said a coach.
SAI sanctioned money cannot be used during to administrative logjam
Interestingly the Sports Authority of India has provided an administrative sanction of ₹30 lakh for the conduct of the Boxing Nationals on January 1, a copy of which is with the HT. The assistance shall be utilized for the provision of boarding and lodging. “The NSFs are expected to meet the expenses on other items from their own resources.” An amount of ₹22,50,000 will be paid to BFI as advance and remaining 25 per cent balance will be released on receipt of original bills and vouchers,” said the letter.
However, a senior BFI functionary said the full amount can be utilized only with the go ahead of the executive committee which has not met since the deadlock last month.
The onus of organising the competition is with Uttar Pradesh Boxing Association. The boxing administration has been facing teething troubles due to internal conflict. In November BFI members reportedly moved a vote of no-confidence motion against president Ajay Singh in the SGM. Singh, who is in his third term, has faced the heat in the elections in a bitter tussle for power.
A BFI official said neither the domestic calendar has been cleared nor there was any bid invited for the national championships during the SGM. “Why is UPBA being given hosting rights for all domestic competitions despite such a shoddy organisation. There is a process involved to hold the National Championships but nothing is being followed in the current regime,” said the member.
