Not afraid to face Nikhat Zareen in Olympic qualifier trials, says Mary Kom

10/19/2019

Celebrated Indian boxer MC Mary Kom (51kg) has vowed that she is not afraid to face Nikhat Zareen in a trial to decide who will make the Indian squad for the Olympic qualifiers in China. Zareen demanded a trial bout with Mary Kom before the Indian squad for the qualifiers is announced.

Celebrated Indian boxer MC Mary Kom (51kg) found herself embroiled in a controversy with Nikhat Zareen demanding a trial bout against her before the Indian squad for the Olympic qualifiers in China in February next year is decided. The controversial demand was put forth by Zareen after the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) stated that it intended to pick the six-time world champion Mary Kom for the event in China due to her recent bronze medal-winning performance at the World Championships in Russia.

"The decision has been taken by BFI. I can't change the rule. I can just perform. Whatever they decide, I will go with that. I'm not scared to face her, I am fine with the trials," said Mary Kom to the PTI in New Delhi.

Mary Kom recalled that she has overpowered Zareen on numerous occasions since the SAF Games and stated that the trials will just be a “formality”. She added that people are “jealous” of her as things of the sort have happened to her in the past also. Mary Kom further said that she does not have anything against Zareen but believes she lacks experiences and can be better in the future.

"I am not against her. She might be good in future, let her have the experience and focus on preparation for the highest level. I have been fighting for last 20 years. To challenge is easy but to perform is difficult."

Different criteria were set by the BFI for the men’s and women’s team to be selected directly for the Olympic qualifiers in February. For the selection of men's team, medallists of the World Championships were to be selected while in women's competition, BFI had said in August that only the gold and silver winners at the World Championships in Russia would be selected.

Mary Kom said there should be gender quality in the selection criteria. "I don't care about all this. Let BFI take the decision. There should be gender equality, can't have separate rules for men and women."

BFI has now decided to call a selection committee meeting next week to discuss Zareen's demand.