Mary Kom is now a brand, not just a boxer
After years of struggle, Mary Kom is finally getting her due. We all are happy with that. And why not?
Not long back, she had to run from pillar to pillar to beg for sponsorships, but now the iconic woman boxer spearheads numerous campaigns and lends her support to social awareness.
She mothers three children, supports animal rights and is associated with PETA India, to put an end to cruelty towards animals.
On top of that, Mary Kom has been appointed as one of the eight brand ambassadors for the World Championships by the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
Corporates are willing to rope 'Magnificent Mary' and support her. Thanks to the Priyanka Chopra-starrer on the World Champion's biopic, she has become a household name across India.
After all, money is a subsidiary of success.
Decline of development in the Boxing Federation of India
In London, we had eight boxers in the entire Indian contingent. This year we have one.
There was a plan in place then. There was a federation in place. There were established role models. Things could only get better.
But how things turned around from there is unimaginable. No one anticipated such a small boxing contingent for Rio.
The International Boxing Association has banned the boxing federation of our country in 2012 due to lack of transparency within the election process alleging possible manipulation.
This scenario has been a perennial issue since then and although there are talks of the formation of a new federation with every passing day, there has been no improvement in this case.
The bigger concern now is Shiva Thapa, the first and only boxer who has qualified for Rio Olympics 2016 has to take the ring under the AIBA flag.
This is yet another glaring example of India's appalling indifference towards boxing. The state of the infrastructural problem has been a problem with everyone including the London bronze medalist.
One more proof that the road has been challenging for Mary Kom since the London Games.
The future of Indian boxing is not dark
There is indeed lack of motivation and competition but the likes of Nikhat Zareen, Pinki Jangra, and Pooja Rani can outbox any opponent on their day if guided in the right direction.
While the ace pugilist has already made up her mind to retire from this sport after this year, they are all medal prospects at the 2020 Tokyo Games. The question now is, how will Indian boxing, already down, recover from this blow?
It is said one can always find a positive in any disaster. We can find one here too. Mary Kom has squandered all her three chances and because she has squandered, there should not be any regrets.
Right now, it doesn’t seem like the situation will get any better. But let's hope, it gets soon.
Mary Kom is an inspiration to millions worldwide. She has motivated herself and us through hard work and never-say-die attitude.
The next Olympics will be held in Tokyo in 2020. The Manipuri lass will be 37 then. So, over the coming days or even weeks, if she decides to hang up her gloves, don't be surprised by her decision.
To be honest, it is high time she takes a call.
