Kiren Rijiju: Boxing will play a huge role in making India Top-10 at Olympics

04 May 2020

Sports Minister of India, Kiren Rijiju noted on Sunday that boxing would play an important role in making India a top-10 nation in the Medals tally at the Olympic Games.

Rijiju noted the same during the online video interactive session with Indian boxers and he also acknowledged the efforts that were being put in by the boxers.

The Indian boxers have already secured a record-high nine spots for the Tokyo Olympics and although the national camp has been put on hold due to the COVID-19 lockdown, Rijiju added that plans are being made to sort the situation.

"I have discussions with my officers. We are planning out a way to start functioning as soon as possible. I thought, first of all, we should allow practice for the players who have qualified for the Olympics and who will be participating in the qualifiers or important championships. We can't open all the coaching centres, so we will allow only for elite athletes. Junior camps have to wait for some time as safety will be priority," he said.

He also had high praise for Boxing Federation of India and it’s president Ajay Singh for keeping the Indian boxers engaged with online coach classes.