The Indian boxing contingent have begun their campaign in a positive manner, with Vikas Krishan and Manoj Kumar registering convincing first round victories. However, in a strange turn of events, AIBA (International Boxing Association) has threatened to disqualify the trio if they don’t turn up with ‘India’ written behind their jerseys for the bout today.
Haryana’s Manoj was given an ultimatum by an organiser after his victory over London 2012 bronze medallist Evaldas Petrauskas of Lithuania.
A source close to the proceedings told Sportskeeda, “Manoj was told after his bout that he must wear an India jersey or the entire contingent will be banned. This was also told to the coach and administrators. We have a set of old Indian jerseys (from) before the association got banned, that will be used in Shiva’s bout today.”
“Actually all these days our boxers weren’t allowed to participate with the country name and now they are being allowed again. We were not informed about this by AIBA either. But the situation is under control, Shiva will be fighting with the India jersey,” the source added.
The Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) has been banned in phases since 2012, over its inability to host democratic elections. However, the AIBA gave a temporary reprieve till the end of the Olympics.
Our source went on, “We were planning on cutting the India part from the wrestling jerseys and sticking it at the back of our existing ones. However, we were lucky enough to find a set of old jerseys.”
The entire boxing contingent was in a fit as they had only 10 hours to solve the issue.
More to follow...
