Boxers wait for rings to be set up, Nationals delayed

The National Boxing Championships (Elite Men and Women) scheduled at the Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida faced major organisational shortcomings on the first day of the competition on Sunday.

- Avishek Roy

The meet was to start at 2pm, but was delayed by more than four hours as boxing rings were being set up.

On a cold day, boxers were waiting for their bouts since afternoon with no clue when they would start. Around 80 bouts in men and women were scheduled. Boxers waited in the hall for long hours, stretching themselves to stay warm and ready. The tournament finally started at 6:30pm as organisers managed to put up two rings but the delay was so long that the day's schedule could not be completed.

Only three of the 38 bouts in the women’s competition could be held. World champion Minakshi Hooda, one of the star attractions on the first day, was pitted against Tamil Nadu’s Lakshaya S Vijayan in the 45-48kg weight class. She was first up at 2pm but her bout has now been rescheduled for Monday. The three women's bouts held were in 5ikg and two in 54kg.