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The Mary Kom Boxing Academy in National Games Village, Langol, Imphal has begun an association with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and has consequently been rechristened Mary Kom-SAI Boxing Academy.
The academy will be screening boxers for induction under the Sports Authority of India extension scheme on September 23 at the National Games Village Langol in Manipur. Several motor ability tests and skills tests will form the basis for selection.
According to a statement made by the academy, "The academy will not have residential facilities for the selected candidates but will have a package of sports kits and monthly stipend as per their performance for 10 months. Intending boxers (both boys and girls) of the state who are under the age group of 12-18 years may collect forms from the office of the academy and submit the same on or before September 21."
The academy is run under the patronage of the Mary Kom Regional Boxing Foundation, and has sponsored more than 20 athletes under the extension scheme, since 2010. Under the scheme, the athletes recieve a monthly stipend and sports kits, based on the merits of their performance. The number of athletes admitted under the scheme has been increased to 40, after the visit of Director General of SAI Injeti Srinivas last June.
The Mary Kom Regional Boxing Foundation was established as a non-profit organisation in 2006 by Mary Kom and her husband Mr. K. Onler, with the aim of promoting the sport of boxing amongst underprivileged youth in of Manipur and other parts of North East India.
Given that a lot of sportspersons in Manipur come from weak socio-economic backgrounds, Mary Kom decided to set up a fostering ground for youngsters with potential. The academy has humble beginnings, but after Mary Kom’s inspired Olympic medal win in 2012, the Government of Manipur allotted 3.30 acres of land at National Games Village, Langol, Imphal on 25 February 2013 in recognition.
Despite financial and infrastructural challenges initially, the academy managed to churn out state and national champions. The athletes had to make do with an open lawn for training, a rented house that doubled up as a hostel for four years, and post that, they were accomodated in the home of a trustee of the organisation, Mr. K. Jadumani Singh.
