Boxing India announces dates for Nationals

JAIPUR: A day after being elected as the new body, Boxing India made its first move by announcing the dates for National Championships. While, the women's Nationals will be held in Raipur from October 12, the men's championship will be held in Dehradun or Maharashtra from October 26.
Caught in the tussle between the International Boxing Association (AIBA) and the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF), the boxers were deprived of the Nationals for the last two years.BI president Sandeep Jajodia said that the body would put the boxers' interest first. "That's the immediate concern, because not having the National Championships has ruined the talent pool," Jajodia said.
Interestingly, the ad-hoc committee formed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to look after the sport had already announced the dates for the Nationals in November, even before BI polls were held. At a meeting in New Delhi last week, the ad-hoc committee decided to conduct the men's championships in Uttarakhand, and the women's event in Delhi.
On Friday, IOA president N Ramachandran once again clarified that the ad-hoc body will continue with its activities. "Any national sports federation desiring to become affiliated to the IOA will have to apply in writing, and it will then have to be approved through a general body meeting. The independence, autonomy and constitution will not be compromised. Till such time, the ad-hoc body will continue with its activities," Ramachandran said.