Commonwealth Games 2018: Sonia Lather left furious with BFI's selection criteria

Due to the Boxing Federation of India's (BFI) selection policy, India's only medallist from the latest women boxing championship, Sonia Lather was excluded from the boxing contingent that will be travelling to Gold Coast for the Commonwealth Games in April.

Reportedly, Sonia's poor form in last month's India Open and the recently concluded Strandja Memorial hindered her selection for the upcoming Games. When contacted over the phone, the boxer, who hails from Haryana, said that she was unhappy with the selection procedure.

She did not really want to take part in the India Open as she was ill. However, the officials had said that they might select the boxers for the Commonwealth Games from the tournament.

"I didn't really want to take part in the India Open and the Strandja Memorial tournaments. I was a little ill during the India Open but the officials had told us that they would keep an eye on the tournament and might select the boxers who will represent the country at the Commonwealth Games. So, I thought it would not be right to skip the competition," Sonia said.

"In the first round, I lost to an Indonesian opponent by a narrow margin of 3-2. It was a close fight and I felt it was a little unfair that the judges adjudged her the winner. In Strandja, as well, I lost in the first round by a slim margin."

"But how can you decide on the basis of one month's performance? How can you watch just two fights and decide whether or not select a boxer? Until now, the norm has been to see how a boxer has performed over the last one or two years and then decide whether to select him or her for any major tournament," she added.

Sonia had won silver medals at the 2016 World Championships and in last year's Asian Championships. She also emerged victorious in the 2nd National Boxing Championships held in Rohtak in January this year and she believed that would be enough for her to guarantee a place in the Commonwealth Games contingent. However, things did not turn out as she hoped.

"I don't understand why amongst all the boxers, I'm the one being targetted. In the five weight categories, I have been more successful than anyone in the last 2-3 years. Then why me? Because I'm weak?", she asked.

Needless to say, the BFI's decision to exclude Sonia is shocking. However, she still hopes that the federation will listen to her and support her no matter what. "I have full faith in the federation. I'm sure they will support me when it matters the most," she signed off.