Published 16:18 IST, October 17th 2019
Nikhat Zareen writes to Sports Min Kiren Rijiju, demands 'fair trial'
Nikhat Zareen wrote to Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju demanding a 'fair trial' for the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics after the recent BFI announcements
Promising boxer Nikhat Zareen, on Thursday, wrote a letter to the Union Minister of Sports, Kiren Rijiju demanding 'fair trails' for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This comes after it was reported that Mary Kom, who recently bagged bronze at the World Championships, might skip the trials and earn a direct qualification for the 2020 Olympics. According to the announcement by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) earlier, only gold and silver medallists were to be exempted from the qualification. Zareen also alleged that when she arrived in Delhi for the World Championships selection, the selection was cancelled and Mary Kom was sent without any prior explanation.
Zareen: "I've been inspired by Mary Kom since I was a teenager"
In the letter addressed to the Sports Minister, Zareen gave a brief background of her victories in the past and then alleged that on August 6 and 7 when she arrived in Delhi for the World Championship selections, the selections were cancelled and Mary Kom was sent. She also said, "After this decision, the BFI announced that gold and silver medallist will be exempt from the Olympic trials. Today, I have reliably been informed that the rule is now being changed again to accommodate my senior, Mary Kom as the candidate without a trial." The boxer also said that, "The very basis of sport is the concept of fair play. Even Olympic Gold medallists have to fight again to qualify to represent the country." Zareen added that she has been inspired by Mary Kom since she was a teenager and stated an example of 23 time Gold medallist Michael Phelps. "I know, not just as the Minister but as a former sportsman, that you will not let me down. Request you to help protect the honour of sports," Zareen added.
India at World Championships
India had a brilliant outing at the World Championship this year as Manju Rani reached the finals in the 48kg category and lost the bout whereas Mary Kom got an unprecedented eighth medal, as she won bronze in the 51kg category in this prestigious tournament to add to her glittering resume that already has a staggering six gold medals and one silver.
Updated 17:29 IST, October 17th 2019