Boxing Stalwarts Vijender Singh, Mary Kom Demand System Reboot

Only 3 boxers could qualify for India in the recently concluded Rio Olympics.

Vijender Singh (L) and MC Mary Kom (R). (Photo: The Quint)

Indian boxing’s biggest names are demanding an all systems reboot to halt the sport’s decline after a medal-less Olympic campaign in Rio, and their road-map goes beyond having the much-delayed national federation.

From the country’s first Olympic medallist in boxing, Vijender Singh, to Commonwealth Games gold-medallists Akhil Kumar and Mohd Ali Qamar, and to the much-decorated MC Mary Kom, Indian boxing stalwarts stand united in their cry for change.

Vijender, Mary Kom Vouch For Federation

There has to be some accountability. First there should be a federation and secondly there should be action against officials and coaches who are responsible for the current state of Indian boxing. As for the road-map ahead, the coaching staff should be overhauled. What’s the problem? The schedule in the national camp has not changed for so many years. We need fresh ideas. If we have to move forward, we have to be ruthless and change the system. 

Vijender Singh

Only three Indian boxers had qualified for the Rio Games, a sharp decline from the eight who made the cut four years ago for the London edition. In fact, not a single woman boxer managed to qualify for the Games this time.

Five time Boxing World Champion MC Mary Kom failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics. (Photo: Reuters)

Having a Federation is an absolute must. Once it is done, we can have qualified coaches to improve performance. Good foreign coaches can be hired so that there is a new exchange of ideas and the coaches should also maintain discipline in the camp.

MC Mary Kom, Boxer, India

Boxing is currently being administered by an ad-hoc committee after the national federation was terminated by the International Boxing Association (AIBA).

New Coaches Required

I fully agree with Vijender on accountability, besides the coaching staff should also be changed. They have been around for a very long time and I think now it is time to look for something new. 

Akhil Kumar, Boxer, India

Ali Qamar, the country’s first ever Commonwealth Games gold-medallist (2002, Manchester), held a similar view.

Just as boxers are selected through trials, the coaches should also be able to prove themselves. The coaching staff needs overhaul. The pattern of training hasn’t changed for last many years. Simply going out for training trips is not enough, we need fresh inputs in the national camp. A change in the coaching staff can do that. And if we have to go for a foreign coach, bring someone who is accomplished and has the Olympic experience.

Change in Training Pattern Will Help: Vijender

Vijender said getting a new foreign coach in the national camp would not be a bad idea at this stage.

Don’t we go out to study? Then what’s the harm in getting foreign expertise to our national camp. If there are people out there who are good and have the credentials, what is the harm in trying them out?

“We also need people with expertise in sports medicine because boxing is a contact sport. We need experts in mental conditioning to deal with the psychological aspect of boxing,” added the boxer.

Vijender Singh was the first India to win a medal in World Championships in 2009. (Photo: IOS)

“And we need a massive change in our training pattern. Why can’t we explore places other than Patiala for training? What’s the harm in having camps at high altitude places like Leh-Ladakh,” he pointed out.

(With inputs from PTI.)