Over 300 boxers, including the country’s top pugilists like former World Championship Bronze medallist Shiva Thapa and former Commonwealth Gold medallist Manoj Kumar, will fight for top honours in the Second Elite Men’s Boxing National Championship that will get under way here on Wednesday.
The event was inaugurated by Railway Sports Promotion Board president Dinesh Gayen, President of Boxing Federation of India (BFI) Ajay Singh and Secretary of RSPB Rekha Yadav at the Swarna Bharati Indoor Stadium here on Tuesday.
“This is the second edition of Elite Men’s National Championship and I am sure like the first edition of the championship, lot of new talent will be identified in this platform,” BFI president Ajay Singh said at the glittering opening ceremony.
“The participation of 309 boxers from 37 States and sports promotion boards of the country shows how important this tournament is for the boxers and I am sure this championship will provide the right platform for many more champions to emerge. I am thankful to the Railway Sports Promotion Board for organising the Men's National Championship and for extending their support for the promotion of boxing in the country,” he added.
The week-long championship will feature 26 teams, including state associations, and will see a solid 309 boxers looking for medals and a place in the national squad.
Leading the Railways team charge will be Manoj Kumar.
