It's time to take boxing to grass root level: Hemanta Kalita

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: The secretary of the Assam Amateur Boxing Association Hemanta Kalita is all set to contest for the Secretary General post of Boxing Federation of India (BFI) during its Annual General Meeting which is scheduled to be held in Gurugram on February 3. In an interaction with The Sentinel Kaila, who now holds the post of treasurer in BFI, also spoke on some other issues. Here is the excerpt.

The Sentinel (TS): So the date of the AGM of Boxing Federation of India is finally fixed!

Kalita: Yes. It will be held at Gurugram on February 3.

TS: Are you still in fray for the post of Secretary General?

Kalita: Yes. There is no change in my previous plan. I will put my candidature for the post of Secretary General and if requires ready to contest.

TS: You are a part of the existing executive committee of the BFI. How would you assess the last four years performance of your team?

Kalita: Last four year we have tried our best to improve the standard of Indian boxing at the international level and I can say with confidence that we are successful to attain the target. This time already nine of our boxers have qualified for the forthcoming Olympics which is a very big achievement for any national federation of India. During this period we have also organized several top level international boxing meets and our organizing skills received a lot of praise from the boxers and officials of different participating teams. It helps us to develop good relations with the foreign countries and our boxers are getting a lot of benefit when it comes to quality training. Introduction of Boxing League was also a good step taken by the existing committee.

TS: Your vision if elected...

Kalita: I feel the next four years are very crucial for BFI and the association should work to produce more and more boxers from every nook and corner of the country. We have already produced several international level boxers and now time has come to develop a supply line so that there is a good flow of quality boxers in the international level. Taking the game to the grassroot level is a priority for me and I would work with my team to reach that goal if elected.

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