CHENNAI: Boxing India may have hosted the women’s nationals a couple of months ago, but the uncertainty over its recognition by the Indian Olympic Association and the Sports Ministry may jeopardise the chances of winners and participants to use their certificates to seek jobs, scholarship, concessions, cash awards, etc.
According to experts, only if the body is recognised can the certificates the players have received from the BI would be valid. There have been instances when authorities were confused about the validity of the certificates.
Take the case of Meena Kumari, who was adjudged the most promising boxer in the recently-held women’s nationals in Chattisgarh. Though she bagged gold in the 54kg category and later participated in the World Championship, according to her coach D Chandralal, she is still unsure whether the current performance in the nationals would be taken into account when she applies for a job.
“She is the current champion and has played in the world championships as well. Normally, we expect that she would be recruited. But uncertainty is still there as to whether her nationals gold would be counted,” said Chandralal, a Dhronacharya Awardee.
According to insiders, the BI’s lack of affiliation may affect the job prospects of young boxers. “Newcomers who have not achieved much would be affected the most,” said one official. “Usually under sports quota, there will be more than one applicant for a post. In that case the candidates would be listed according to their achievements. If the performance in the BI-conducted events are taken into account then that may invite legal attention.” Again, the issue that the BI did not get Railway concessions during the nationals, for which all affiliated sports federations are entitled to, only added to the confusion.
However, BI secretary general Jay Kowli maintained that the events conducted by the organisation were valid. “In the women’s nationals we had teams from leading departments like the Services and the Railways,” he pointed out. “If the event was null and void they wouldn’t have sent their boxers. Our events are valid and the boxers should not be denied their privileges.”
The IOA recently rejected BI’s request to recognise it. In fact, the IOA still accepts the suspended IABF as its affiliated unit. Whatever the situation is, until and unless all issues are settled, it won’t be easy for boxers.