'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Indian flag was seen moving up and down the spectators stand as the semifinals of the AIBA World Junior and Youth Women Boxing Championships progressed in full swing at Antalya, Turkey on 28 April 2011. With the drums booming and the partisan Turkish students vociferously cheering the Indian boxers, the atmosphere was reminiscent of the Talkatora Stadium at Delhi. With an electrifying performance on offer Indian pugilists were applauded by one and all as they traded punches in the ring.
Indian Junior and Women boxers have created history at Antalya by their tremendous grit, determination and courage which they displayed in full measure. Chief Coach of the Indian Youth Women’s Team D Chandralal was the most sought after person by the Coaches of other teams including Russia, they were all impressed by the style and technique of the Indian boxers that he trained and hence wanted sparring sessions for their teams with India in the training rings. He was ably supported by Coaches Geeta Chanu, Sheeba Joseph and Sandhya Gurung.
A skilled trainer,Chief Coach Chandralal is gifted with an analytical mind and can decipher the weaknesses of the opponent boxers, enabling the Indian boxers to adopt new strategies during the bout as per requirement. Making the best of opportunity, Sarjubala Devi and Minu Basumatary have made their way in to the finals in the Youth section. In the Junior category, Lalenkawli, Nikhat Zareen and Lalfakzuali have been successful in reaching the finals to be held on April 30. Chief Coach of the Junior Women’s team Mr I Venkateswara Rao was contented with the performances of his wards. He has been supported by his assistant coaches Abhishek Malviya and Pratima Gurung.
A very familiar face amongst the cheering Indian team who was not only rooting for India but was also seen playing the big drums to cheer, which she borrowed from the local Turkish fans was Dr (Mrs) Sanjogita Soodan, the team doctor. The Indian team boxers and coaches were all praises for the medical assistance rendered by her to the team, not only this the doctor is also admired for her moral boosting skills. A feather in the cap for India is that Dr Sanjogita Soodan qualified in theInternational Technical Officials (ITO) Examination held here at Antalya and is the first Asian Woman Medical Jury Member to have passed this extremely tough exam.
The Chairman of AIBA Medical Commission Dr Charles Butler as well as Dr Robin Goodfellow (both from USA) and Dr Khadri (Morocco) complimented her for having scored high marks as well as for her competent handling of medical duties assigned to her. Dr Sanjogita Soodan also now has the distinction of being the first and only person from Jammu & Kashmir to qualify as an International Technical Official (ITO) of Boxing in AIBA. As on date India has only two officials qualified as AIBA Technical Delegates and two as International Technical Officials.
India has shone bright at this AIBA World Junior and Youth Women Boxing Championships under the technical guidance offered by Mrs Manisha Malhotra. A familiar face on the Tennis circuit during the last decade, Manisha has won laurels for India as a Tennis player at Asian Games, Wimbledon, US Open and the Olympic Games. Her dedication to sports can be seen from the fact that despite having given birth to a baby boy just two months ago, she has cheerfully accepted the duties of the Technical Delegate for this prestigious World Championships. She is doing a fabulous job as a Technical Delegate and has handled various pressure situations with patience and a cool head. Manisha is also the Chairperson of the AIBA Women’s Commission and the first Indian to be a Chairperson of an AIBA Commission.
Mr Lenny D’Gama who is an AIBA 3 Star Referee & Judge is the other Indian who is officiating at this AIBA World Championships at Antalya. He has been doing a fairly good job and is quite active and busy as a Referee & Judge in this Tournament.
The new AIBA Scoring System which has been introduced by AIBA at this World Championships for the first time has been very effective and well received by the boxers, coaches and spectators alike. There is expectation and suspense as the result of each round is only known at the end of the round, during the rest interval of one minute. The technique to be adopted is therefore totally different. Now there is a requirement for boxers to be attacking all the time as well as have sufficient strength and stamina in the last round to make an all out attack and build up a lead. The earlier tactics adopted by many boxers of being defensive and going into a shell guard after having notched a few points lead will not be of any help anymore.
Looking forward to hearing the Indian National Anthem being played during the finals on 30 April 2011 and wishing all the Indian finalists good luck to enable them to perform to their capability and win the yellow metal (Gold).
With best wishes,Brig PK Muralidharan RajaSecretary GeneralIndian Amateur Boxing Federation
