With borrowed kits, women boxers win 6 medals for India

The senior India Women’s boxing team was stranded at the Vrbas Airport in Serbia for almost 24 hours. They did not even have their kits and shoes for most part of the tournament.

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) was recently revamped and the hope was on the rise again. Indian Women's boxing team (senior)was recently in Serbia to participate in the 6^th Nation’s Cup and their woes in the city of Vrbas portrayed a different picture altogether.

The senior team was stranded at the airport for almost 24 hours. They did not have their luggage for most part of the tournament. The Indian women boxers had to borrow shoes and kits from their opponents and yet after all these woes, they managed bag half a dozen medals including a gold for India.

The girl from Haryana, Neeraj bagged the sole gold medal in the 51 kg category. Sarjubala Devi (48kg), Priyanka Chaudhary (60kg), Pooja (69kg) and Seema Punia bagged silver medals. Kavita Goyat managed to clinch the bronze in the 75 kg category.

One would be surprised to know that all of these were achieved by the senior Indian Women's boxing team after a sorry 24 hours. Their initial flights were cancelled and the Federation had put them on another flight. The flight reached Vrbas but the luggage never reached.

Thankfully the organisers were cooperative and understanding and they helped the Indian Women's boxing team.

Looking at these efforts, the BFI should be proud and do whatever they can take to improve the infrastructure and facilities for the boxers in India. But the way things work at the federation, it does not look like things are going to change anytime soon.