Assam boxers defy state orders to participate in women's national tournament amid BFI dispute

Amid infighting within the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) ahead of its elections, the Women’s National Boxing Championship has turned into nothing less than a battleground, with five boxers from Assam and a coach ignoring their state unit’s directive to participate in the tournament.

Meanwhile, teams from Bihar and Madhya Pradesh have boycotted the tournament that began on March 21. Many office-bearers of several member state associations have stopped their boxers from competing at the SAI-sanctioned event.

Assam too has barred its boxers, including Tokyo Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain, to skip the event. However, the Assam Olympic Association stepped in, sending a six-member team, including five boxers.

“It is the matter of the boxers’ life. In Assam, it was in the paper and electronic media everywhere that the secretary has asked not to come here,” Assam coach Diganta Nath, who travelled with the team, told PTI.

Originally, Assam had registered nine boxers, including Borgohain, before pulling out. The five boxers who are competing here were not on the original list but now have the opportunity to make it to the national camp.

The top three boxers from each weight category at this championships will proceed to the national camp.

The pressure was not limited to Assam as another Northeastern state’s boxers and officials were also forced to stay away.

“The President (of the state unit) asked us several times not to come here because of the elections. I told him please don’t spoil the boxers’ future. Their entire year will be wasted,” an official from the state said.

“The president said he is powerless as he is also being pressured,” he added.

The Boxing Federation of India has stepped in to cover the cost of travel and accommodation of these boxers.

Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh, two-time World champion Nikhat Zareen, Olympians Sarita Devi and Manoj Kumar were present on day 1 of the event to cheer the boxers.

In the ring, reigning lightflyweight (48-50kg) champion Anamika Hooda began her title defence knocking out Sikkim’s Prava Gajneer in Round 2.

In other key bouts of the day, Devika Ghorpade of Maharashtra claimed a unanimous victory over Poonam Bisht of All India Police (AIP) in the 48-51kg category, displaying technical superiority across all rounds.

Meanwhile, Haryana’s Tamanna delivered an equally dominant performance, securing a knockout win in Round 2 against Kerala’s Nissy Laissy Thampy, joining Anamika in advancing to the next stage.

The closely contested 48-51kg clash between Uttarakhand’s Shobha Kohli and Punjab’s Ekta Saroj ended in a 4-1 split decision in favour of the former, who managed to edge out her opponent with superior ring control.

In the 54-57kg category, Haryana’s Priya overpowered Preeti (AIP) with a unanimous verdict.