Sport - Boxing

He came to compete, becomes selector

BATHINDA: When Mohammad Ali Qamar boarded the train to Bathinda to take part in the 55th National boxing championship as part of the Railways’ team, he would hardly have imagined that instead of entering the ring he would be out of it, keeping track of the talent in the country.

The 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who has been nominated to the National selection committee, is confused at the turn of events. He is not sure whether to accept the new responsibility or to revive his career after going through a rough patch due to indifferent form and fitness problems.

“It came as a surprise to me. It’s a big honour, but I do not know what to do. Till yesterday I was ready to take part in the championship, but now I have to sit out,” said the 28-year-old, who was expected to compete in the flyweight category.

“If Akhil Kumar, who is one year junior to me, can compete then so can I. To test my fitness and form, I took part in the inter-Railways meet earlier this year and got the silver. Then I thought of the Nationals,” he said, while regretting that he could never participate in an Olympics.

But the three-time national champion, whose career was affected by a nose injury after the Busan Asian Games, is determined to hit the ring as a professional boxer once such a league starts in India.

“It’s a must. If professional league begins in India, then I will fight,” he said.

Qamar, also a 2003 Commonwealth Championship gold winner, however, thinks that while professional league would help the sport grow in popularity, it might lure away some promising pugilists from amateur boxing.

According to the Kolkata-based veteran, apart from the heroes from the Beijing Olympics, India had a few good boxers who were world class in their categories.

“People like Diwakar Prasad and Dilbagh Singh are equally talented. Nobody can say that their ability is less than that of any of our Olympic contestants.”

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