BFI brings out selection policy for big-ticket events including CWG, Asian Games

Asian Games scheduled to be held between July and September this year. As per the Boxing Federation of India's (BFI) selection policy, which is in PTI's possession, the first set of trials would be held next month for the women's world championships in Turkey this May. "Simultaneously, selection trials for the elite women will also be held for selecting boxers for the Asian Games," the policy stated.

While the dates have not been mentioned in the document, it is learnt from reliable federation sources that the world championship trials would be held from March 7 to 9, followed by the Asiad trials from March 10 to 13. The women's trials for the Commonwealth Games will be held in June. The men will undergo selection trials for both the Commonwealth and Asian Games in "middle of May".

The CWG is scheduled first on the competitive calendar, set to be held in Birmingham from July 28 to August 8, while the Asiad will be conducted from September 10 to 25 in Hangzhou, China. "The selection committee will comprise President, BFI (or his nominee) and expert panel of reputed veteran boxers, preferably Arjuna/Dronacharya awardees, past Olympians and past world championships medallists," the policy stated. The trial bouts would be videographed to avoid any complaints and all national campers will be eligible to compete.

Both the Commonwealth and Asian Games are going to be crucial events for Indian boxing after the lackluster Olympic performance in Tokyo last year. Of the unprecedented nine who qualified, including five men and four women, only Lovlina Borgohain could finish on the podium with a bronze in the Japanese capital. It led to an overhaul of the coaching staff and new head coaches were brought in for both men and women.