I’ll surely convey the message to BFI, Kiren Rijiju responds to Nikhat Zareen’s demand

I’ll surely convey the message to BFI, Kiren Rijiju responds to Nikhat Zareen’s demand

no photo

|

Press Release

Sports minister Kiren Rijiju has responded to boxer Nikhat Zareen’s demand saying that he can only ask the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) to decide what is best for the nation and the athletes. Zareen demanded a trial bout against Mary Kom before the squad for the Olympic qualifiers is decided.

Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju, on Friday, responded to boxer Nikhat Zareen’s demand for a trial bout against the celebrated MC Mary Kom for selection of India's squad for next 2020 Tokyo Olympic Qualifiers, saying that he can only ask the Boxing Federation of India to decide what is best for the nation and the athletes. Rijiju reiterated the point that if the Sports Ministry intervenes in selection matters of any national federation, it will be considered as a violation of the Olympic Charter. The sports minister also said that he will convey Zareen's message to the Boxing Federation of India (BFI).

After the BFI stated that it intends to pick Mary Kom (51kg) for the event in China on the back of her recent bronze medal at the Worlds, Zareen had written a letter to Rijiju on Thursday, demanding that she be given a trial bout against Mary before the Indian squad for next year’s Olympic qualifiers in China in February is decided. 

“I’ll surely convey to Boxing Federation to take the best decision keeping in mind the best interest of the NATION, SPORTS & ATHLETES. Although, Minister should not be involved in the selection of the players by the Sports Federations which are autonomous as per OLYMPIC CHARTER,” Rijiju tweeted in response to Zareen’s letter.

Six-time World Champion Mary Kom has maintained that she would go by the decision taken by the BFI on selection trials and will compete if asked by the federation. The BFI guidelines earlier stated that only the gold and silver-winners from the world event would be given direct selection for the Olympic qualifiers.

Zareen had been refused a trial bout before the world championship as well after the federation decided to pick Mary Kom on the basis of her consistent performances, winning gold at the India Open and the President’s Cup.

The BFI introduced a points-based selection system last year under which helps the federation pick boxers according to their performances in various graded tournaments and the national camps. Trial bouts, a norm earlier, are being conducted only in those weight categories in which the coaches and selectors find the competition to be extremely close. Former World Junior Champion Zareen had found the support of India’s only individual Olympic gold-medallist and iconic shooter Abhinav Bindra.

Get updates! Follow us on

Open all