Pwilao targets Rio Olympic berth

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Aug 31: Assam boxer Pwilao Basumatary was felicitated today by the Assam Amateur Boxing Association for her medal winning performance in the recently concluded Asian women Boxing championship. The felicitation function, held in a city hotel, was attended by several key members of the Boxing India along with Geeta Chanu, the coach of Indian boxing team.

Talking to the media person in the side line of the function Pwilao today said, "Now I am concentrating to earn a berth in the Rio Olympic. I will try my best to book a ticket for Rio and also won a medal for the country."

It may be mentioned that World Boxing championship, scheduled to be held in next February, will serve as the qualifying event of the Rio Olympic. Pwilao, who competes in the 57 kg category, sound optimistic that if everything goes as per plan then she has a good opportunity for Rio Olympic berth. “ I am working very hard now a days to improve my skills further. I have learnt that next women tiol Boxing championship will be held in Bongaigaon, which falls in my locality, and I will definitely try my best to win a medal in front of my well wishers and home supporters which would also improve my level of confidence."

Meanwhile Chanu, who was also felicitated in the same function, said, India altogether won one silver and five bronze medals in the Asian Women Boxing championship. She felt that Indian boxers have been suffering for lack of competition. " If these boxers got sufficient numbers of tourment before this Asian Women Boxing championship I am sure that the performance would much better."

It may be mentioned here that boxing activities in the country was badly suffered after the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) was termited by AIBA for manipulation in election. Later they also faced suspension from the Sports Ministry. After the IABF was termited, Boxing India was elected to run the sports but they too failed to do much to keep Indian boxing moving.

An Executive Council meeting of the Boxing India was held today in the same venue. Meran Paul, the acting president of the Boxing India, later informed the media that they were trying to streamline the different tiol level competitions as early as possible so that the boxers get more and more competitions to prepare themselves for the intertiol meets. "At the same time we are trying to get the reorganization of Sports Ministry as it is very essential to provide different helps to the country's boxers,” said Paul. He also added, " Bongaigaon has been chosen for the next Senior tiol Women Boxing Championship. The meet will be held in the last part of October.

Apart from Paul, the felicitation programme was also attended by Subhash Basumatari, Director, SAI Regiol Centre, Anjan Sarma, Director, Sports and Youth Welfare along with Kalikanta Boro and Hemanta Kalita, the president and the secretary of the Assam Amateur Boxing Association.