Boxing, though a regular medal-winning event for the state, has never been in the list of popular sporting events. Barring a couple of easily identifiable faces, new talents rarely foray into the ring.
But this dismal situation is expected to change soon as the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Kariavattom, has started a boxing training centre with D Chandralal, the former national team coach, as the chief handler. The centre became functional from October 1 and the training for 10 girls, all under 16 years of age, is currently underway.
The intake of trainees to the centre was held on the basis of physical strength and abilities. “Except one or two girls, all the others are fresh. They surely have got the talent and being fresh, it will be easy for me to teach them the basics of boxing. Personally, I feel at home when I get a chance to train beginners,” said Chandralal.
Though it is still premature to judge the talent of the young pugilists, Chandralal feels that they have the spark of talent in them and if properly groomed, at least four or five players can make a cut at the national level. “Now, they have started taking lessons on the basics in boxing. If the training regimen proceeds as expected, then maybe at 21 years, which is the age that boxers peak, they will trumpet their arrival in the national scene,” said the chief coach of the Indian youth women’s team.
Chandralal has made some well-designed plans for the trainees. He wants them to get into shape first. Once they get acquainted with the sport, they can practise with national players who will fly down south to train with him under various schemes.
”I am against segregating trainees on the basis of their sex. In the national camps which I conduct, the girls are thrown against male sparring partners. This will help them to improve their resistance power to punches,” he said.
