The National Boxing Championship in Delhi on Wednesday garnered more attention for controversies than for sporting achievements. While the country’s top female boxers won hearts with their impressive performances, the men’s matches were marred by indiscipline, alleged rule violations, and disputes over referee decisions.
National Boxing Championship: Wednesday at the National Boxing Championship in Delhi was marked by controversy rather than sporting success. On one hand, the country’s star female boxers captivated the audience with their brilliant and impactful performances. On the other, several men’s matches were disrupted by indiscipline, questions over referee decisions, and alleged rule violations. These incidents inside the ring not only raised questions about the fairness of the matches but also sparked serious concerns about the tournament’s image and organizational arrangements.
Allegation of Biting, Match Continued
The most serious incident of the day occurred in a men’s match between Ishmeet of the Railway Sports Control Board and Mohit of All India Police (AIP). In the second round, Ishmeet alleged that Mohit bit him on the shoulder. Ishmeet showed the alleged bite marks to the referee in the ring, creating a tense atmosphere.
The Railway team’s coach bly objected to the incident, stating that such an act falls directly under disqualification according to boxing rules. Despite this, the match was not stopped immediately, raising questions about the referee’s role. A final decision will now be taken by technical officials based on the medical report and available photographs.
Coach Enters Ring During Scoring Dispute
Another major controversy arose in the 55 kg weight class match between Pawan Bartwal of Services and Lalit of All India Police. During the match, the AIP camp protested the scoring, which quickly escalated into a disturbance. The situation worsened when the AIP coach and support staff violated the rules by entering the ring.
The match had to be stopped due to this incident, and chaos ensued for some time. After the situation was brought under control, officials declared the match ‘abandoned’. According to the rules, Pawan Bartwal was declared the winner based on a failure to report to the ring on time. Following this incident, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has requested a detailed report on the matter.
Questions Raised About Referees and Organizers
The repeated controversies have also raised questions about the decisions of the referees and the conduct of the tournament. Sports experts believe that strict adherence to the rules and swift decision-making are essential in high-profile tournaments like these to ensure player safety and fairness in the sport. It is being emphasized that these incidents need to be taken seriously considering India’s image on the international stage.
Amidst the controversies, the performance of the female boxers provided some relief for the tournament. Two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen (51 kg) showcased excellent skill against Ladakh’s Kulsoma Bano in her pre-quarterfinal bout. Zareen won the match within just two minutes, ending it via Referee-Stopped Contest (RSC). In the 48 kg category, Meenakshi Hooda also delivered a b performance, defeating Annu of Jharkhand by unanimous decision to secure her place in the quarterfinals.
