Resumption of boxers' training camp delayed due to pending administrative permissions

India's Olympic-bound boxers will have to wait for some more time before resuming training as national federation's plan to restart camp on June 10 in Patiala has been delayed by at least a week because of ministrative issues. camp, which was slated to restart for both men and women, is yet to get "requisite clearances".

"We are awaiting a response from Sports Authority of India (SAI) on our proposal and y are awaiting a response from government. clearance might come in a day or two but we need at least a week to work out logistics," Boxing Federation of India's Executive Director R K Sacheti told PTI.

nine boxers, who have qualified for Tokyo Games are Amit Panghal (52kg), Manish Kaushik (63kg), Vikas Krishan (69kg), Ashish Kumar (75kg), Satish Kumar (+91kg), MC Mary Kom (51kg), Simranjit Kaur (60kg), Lovlina Borgohain (69kg), and Pooja Rani (75kg).

men tritionally train in Patiala, while women's camp is based in Delhi. decision to combine two in Patiala from June 10 was taken on May 23 after a video conference between top BFI officials, boxers and national coaches. "re are logistics that need to be worked out. boxers have to be brought to Patiala, y have to be tested as well. All se things will need at least a week, so let's see, we are hopeful of things moving ahe in second half of month," Sacheti said.

Sporting activities in country were halted after imposition of lockdown to contain dely COVID-19 pandemic in March. However, Home Ministry allowed opening of sports complexes and stia, without spectators, in relaxations anunced last month.

But state governments have final authority on matter depending on COVID-19 situation. All boxers have been training at ir respective homes ever since nationals camps came to a halt in mid-March owing to virus outbreak, which has caused more than 6,000 deaths in India and wreaked havoc globally.

In SAI's Standard Operating Procedure for resumption of training, boxers have been barred from doing human sparring and told t to access ring for time being. y have also been instructed to use ir personal equipment for all forms of training as part of safety protocol to negate threat of virus.

In dition, y have also been offered cover for COVID-19 in ir medical insurance, as per SOP me by BFI. boxers and federation will have to sign consent forms ackwledging risk of resumption before being allowed back at SAI centre.

federation remains optimistic of conducting its national events in usual window of October-vember and has also bagged hosting rights of Asian Championships, tentatively planned for December. So far, track-and-field athletes and hockey players are only ones to have officially resumed training.

(Representative im: PTI)