BFI Treasurer Hemanta Kalita optimistic about Boxing League

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: The Treasurer of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) Hemanta Kalita in an interaction with The Sentinel informed that Guwahati will host the next Annual General Meeting of the BFI. The city may also be one of the venues for the next edition of the Indian Boxing League. Here is the excerpt.

The Sentinel (TS): What about the post COVID-19 plans of BFI...

Hemanta: We are still struggling to control COVID-19 in the country and time has not arrived to start the activities in full swing. However we have planned to begin the training camp of our elite boxers and it is likely to kick off at Patiala within a next few days.

(TS): Will all the elite boxers across the country attend the camp?

Hemanta: Yes. All are instructed to attend the camp and some of them already reached in Patiala.

(TS): What about the future of the National Boxing Championship which were postponed...

Hemanta: Actually the Executive Council of the BFI discussed on several matters including the competitions which were postponed through Zoom on Friday. Generally our calendar begins in May. But due to COVID-19 this time a couple of National Championships have already postponed. It was decided in the meeting that if the situation turns normal within next couple of months then the National competitions which are scheduled from October will go as per the calendar and the competitions which are postponed would be held later.

(TS): Guwahati was supposed to host the next AGM of the Boxing Federation of India. What about the latest news...

Hemanta: Yes. The AGM of the Boxing Federation of India was scheduled to be held in Guwahati earlier but due to COVID-19 it was postponed. As per the rules of our constitution we have the time to organize it within September. If situation permits we will host it by September and the venue will be Guwahati.

(TS): COVID-19 has made huge impact on franchise based league in the country. Will Indian Boxing League also suffer this time?

Hemanta: A preliminary discussion on the league was held in executive meeting of the BFI. The league can be organized if Government withdraws restriction and give us permission. The biggest advantage of us is that we can organize the tournament with very limited persons and that too following proper norm of distance. Last year we got huge response from the television viewers and the competition was ranked second in the rating after cricket.

(TS): Indian Boxing League will be held at a single location this year !

Hemanta: It will take little time to finalize everything as we have to monitor the ongoing situation. If the situation turns normal and we get necessary permission then the league might be held in different cities in the last part of the year. Guwahati would also be a venue of the meet as there is one team from this region-North East Rhino.  

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