Mumbai: Olympic bronze medallist M C Mary Kom is keen that the elections to the newly-formed Boxing India take place at the earliest to ease the concerns of the pugilists like herself about their own future.
“Lots of women boxers are coming up. We are trying to get more medals in the future in any competition. Right now there is no federation. It (erstwhile IBF) is banned, so we are very upset. We will be really grateful if the federation (BI) holds the elections as soon as possible. We are waiting for the election,” she told reporters here today.
“It is not in my hands. All the boxers are really depressed. They want to go ahead and focus on the training and competition. The main thing is to participate in the competition. It is up to the committee,” she said on the sidelines of a promotional event.
World boxing body AIBA first suspended and then terminated the membership of Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) for not following its norms and provisionally approved Boxing India as the new governing body for the sport in the country in May this year.
The world body had also asked Boxing India to hold a General Assembly as soon as possible, conduct elections and appoint a new Executive Board to get full recognition.
Boxing India has decided to conduct the elections on September 11 on AIBA’s diktat after postponing them from this month.
Looking ahead to next month’s Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, Mary Kom said she is preparing for the mega event which is to be held from September 19 to October 4.
“I am preparing for the Asian Games trial. The Asian Games will be held in September. I am trying to be 100 per cent fit and coming back in shape. Hopefully I will do my best at the Asian Games,” said the Manipuri boxing icon.
The boxing competitions are scheduled from Sept 23 to Oct 3 with women slated to fight in three weight categories. (PTI)