Bhubaneswar: The Odisha women boxers are in dark about their participation in the upcoming 8th Elite Women’s National Boxing Championship, scheduled to be held at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh from 20-27 March.
The future of Odisha’s women boxers is at risk as the Orissa Amateur Boxing Association in their official communication on 13th March stated that the 8th Elite Women’s National Boxing Championship 2024, scheduled from 21st March to 27th March 2025 at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, has been postponed.
This misinformation has created confusion among athletes and threatens to deprive them of participation in a crucial competitive opportunity.
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) website has displayed the championship to be held from 20-27 March 2025. The last date of entry by number was 10th March and by name was 15th march. As the last date was crossed the Odisha boxers are now in the dark, unsure whether they will be able to participate.
“This lack of transparency raises serious concerns about the support and management of boxing in the state. We urge the Odisha Sports and Youth Services Department to intervene immediately, verify the facts, and ensure that we get the opportunity to compete at the national level. We trained hard throughout the year to represent our State in the national platform”, said a few women boxers without disclosing their names.
While contacting the Orissa Amateur Boxing Association Secretary Anil Kumar Bahidar through his mobile number, his phone was switched off.
