Venezuela-bound boxers left in lurch

Sabi Hussain

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 28

India's hopes of securing more quota places for the Rio Olympics in boxing have suffered a huge setback. Boxers Neeraj Goyat (69kg), Dilbag Singh (81kg) and Deepak Tanwar (+81kg) may not be allowed to compete in the APB-WSB Olympics qualifiers for pro boxers in Venezuela after AIBA-appointed ad-hoc committee chairman Kishen Narsi raised serious objection about their participation. Narsi recently wrote a letter to AIBA and the tournament organisers about the trio not following the proper procedure to send their entries for the qualifiers, which will begin on July 3. 

According to sources, the boxers sent their entries directly to the organisers. As a result, the Sports Authority of India has stopped the disbursement of Rs 36 lakh, earmarked for their participation in the qualifiers. Now, they will travel to Vargas on their own expense, and will request AIBA to allow them to compete.