Chennai to host first ever women's National

By Our Sports Reporter

CHENNAI, FEB. 5. These women pack a punch really, not scared to wear their hearts on their sleeves. With an air of confidence and the willingness to put in that extra effort, they show an avowed eagerness to prove themselves that they can perform as well if not better than men. And when they take to the ring for the first ever National women's championship, hosted by the Tamil Nadu State Amateur Boxing Association at the Jawaharlal Nehru indoor stadium here, the last of the men's bastion will fall.

The Federation Cup held in Chennai last July provided an ideal opportunity for the women boxers to prove that boxing was not an exclusive domain of men. But only six teams took part in that tournament. The field for the National championship this time is large with 22 teams and 150 boxers (women) and 28 teams 250 boxers (sub-junior boys) taking part from all over India.

Sub-junior boys' championship begins tomorrow and women's on February 8.

``When women can excel in judo, wrestling, weightlifting and other combat sports, why not in boxing?'' asks Sonia Kanwar, coach of the Chandigarh team and also an international judo exponent. ``Yes I agree we lack in technique when compared to men, but we can make amends by regular practice and exercise. Our strengths have always been jabs. We are sure that we will do well.''

Punjab is another strong contender for the title, having won three gold and two silver medals in the Federation Cup. Says Meenakshi Keshav, captain of the Punjab team, who trains in NIS Patiala, ``we really don't know the strengths of each and every team as this is the first time such an event is being conducted but we are confident of doing well as we have practised really hard for over a month.'' A state which makes its debut in the National championship, hopes to make it a dream one. Says Shaila Damiel, Manager of Kerala team, ``When men can do well, we can also do well and if we don't win here we will be disappointed.''

The women boxers from Kerala have been training for this event in Kollam along with men.The host team will be under pressure to perform well what with good showing in the Federation Cup where they won the overall championship and capped with a reasonably good performance in the all India YMCA championship held in New Delhi in November. The coach K. Kumar is all aware of the expectations as he oversees his wards training hard at the Nehru Stadium.The field is wide open in the women's category but in the sub-junior's (boys') section, holder Manipur will be the odds on favourite to lift the title but it cannot expect to have it easy against equally talented teams such as Services, Mizoram, Delhi and Haryana.

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