Dingko Singh confident

NEW DELHI, AUG. 11. Asian Games gold medallist Dingko Singh was confident about landing his best punches during the Sydney Games, and dismissed the pain in his hand as a possible `psychological fear' after a training stint at the Nehru Stadium here on Saturday.

Dingko said that he was pleased with the preparation during the recent tour of Cuba where he got to spar with many competitors from around the world, though he was not able to compete in more than one tournament.

``Beating a Cuban in Cuba is tough,'' said Dingko, who had lost 4-6 to Yusnier Barzaga in the final of the Torneo International Juvenil.

``There is no injury problem. The pain was there, but the doctors have diagnosed and found nothing wrong with my fist. Maybe it is all in the mind. I am perhaps being cautious before such a big meet,'' said Dingko, even as he acknowledged that he was feeling his pulse go up with the nearing of the mega event.

``I am feeling it a bit. Everybody would be hoping that I win a medal. I also want to show what I have got. Winning and losing is part of the game, but my aim would be to show my game. God willing, I will win a medal,'' said Dingko, who will be joining the rest of the squad in Patiala in a day or so for the final preparation.

The president of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) and the chef de mission of the Indian contingent for the Sydney Games, Mr. Ashok Mattoo, observed that injuries were part of the game, and that he was not unduly perturbed about the state of the boxers.

``They are just back from Cuba after more than 40 days of training cum competition, travelling for more than 20 hours. The problems like pain are so much mental and psychological than physical, it is difficult to make an exact assessment of the situation. The boxers are right there, and their morale is good. I am confident that they would put up a good show,'' said Mr. Mattoo, who will be leaving for Sydney on August 28 to attend a meeting the next day.

The Indian contingent is scheduled to follow the chef de mission in three batches.

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