“Competition system in India is well behind big boxing countries and it needs to seize the momentum back,” says outgoing High Performance Director Santiago Nieva, whose stint with India produced many a great outcomes however the nation’s lacklustre present on the Tokyo Games left him a tad dissatisfied.
The Swede strongly believes that the “missed medals” in Tokyo Games is usually a certainty on the Paris Olympics if the precise strikes are made.
The encouraging outcomes from the Indian boxers in run as much as the Tokyo Games construct the hype however the pugilists did not reside as much as expectations as solely Lovlina Borgohain returned with a medal.
“The biggest (regret) of all was the Tokyo Olympics. We targeted more medals. I know that our team was better than the result. Not getting medals in the men’s section was a disappointment,” Nieva instructed PTI.
“We are in a good position now. The medals that we didn’t win in Tokyo should come in 2024 but we need to work and improve in certain areas.” In a shock determination, Nieva determined to finish his five-year stint with the Indian Boxing as he accepted a proposal from Boxing Australia. He bids Indian boxing adieu having helped delivered spectacular outcomes. Amit Panghal received a silver on the 2019 males’s World Championships and the nation had its highest-ever participation on the Tokyo Games.
“I take a look at the massive image and I’m pleased with my time right here, I used to be a part of a number of best-ever ends in massive competitions. It was an awesome expertise.” Before the COVID-19 pandemic, India hosted a variety of occasions and Nieva feels it’s crucial that the nation begins organizing tournaments as soon as once more.
This will appeal to high pugilists from internationally and the Indian boxers would thus now not be depending on touring overseas for coaching.
“Competition system in India is properly behind the massive boxing nations. We began struggle nights however with the pandemic we’re a bit behind and that is one thing we have to get again on monitor.
“In the primary few years I used to be right here we had the India Open event. We had a staff, the Indian Tigers in world sequence, we began the Big Bout League and we had been organizing the youth championships for women and girls so we had been in nice momentum.
“We have to get again to the identical mentality and once more be a pacesetter in organizing worldwide competitions and never rely on having to go overseas for competitors and coaching. We need different nations to return to India.” Nieva says for Indian boxers to battle with the perfect within the enterprise, the infrastructure offered to them ought to be at par with that of high nations.
“We wish to be the perfect on the planet. We aren’t glad with being quantity 5 or 10. If we’re evaluating ourselves to the perfect we’d like infrastructure like them, if not higher.
“And whereas India has come a great distance previously 5 years, there’s nonetheless room for enchancment. Our coaching centres, excessive efficiency facilities within the states, there’s a lot that may be improved infrastructure sensible and it has improved from 2017.
“In Patiala, the boxing corridor has modified a lot since I received right here. It has doubled in measurement, has new and higher gear. It is a excessive efficiency heart now. But nonetheless there’s good room of enchancment. Since final yr issues have improved and within the subsequent 2-3 years will probably be manner higher than they’re now. We are constructing a great system.” Despite the underwhelming marketing campaign in Tokyo, Nieva is optimistic of a great present on the Commonwealth Games later this yr.
He feels the Indian boxers should up the ante for the postponed Asian Games, which can see participation from boxing powerhouses like Uzbekistan and Philippines amongst others.
“India has nice expertise, I’m anticipating an amazing efficiency within the Commonwealth Games. Last time there have been three gold medals there’s good probability we’ll get extra this time, the boxers are stronger than they had been in 2018.
“But Asian Games is a different story because they will need to get their top game.”
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
