Indian Women boxers to have a foreign coach before Commonwealth Games, says BFI chief

Indian women boxers are going to have a foreign coach before Commonwealth Games. (Source: File)

Indian women boxers are going to have a foreign coach before the Commonwealth Games next year, announced Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh on Thursday in Gurugram.

The boxers, who recently participated at the Asian Women’s Boxing Championships held in Vietnam, have been without a foreign coach after Stephane Cottalorda’s unceremonious exit. The Frenchman resigned from his position in September, alleging delay in payment of salary among other complaints.

Ajay Singh was quoted by PTI as saying, “There will be a foreign coach for women boxers very soon, actually before the Commonwealth Games. We have shortlisted a few names already.” The team, that won a gold, a silver and five bronze medals, is currently being looked after by senior men’s coach from Sweden Santiago Nieva, who is overseeing the women’s camp as a High Performance Director.

“We are planning on holding an Indian Open next year, followed by a league in the middle of the year,” Singh said. A pro-style league was initially planned for the end of this year. India is also hosting World Championship for the first time since the 2006 senior women’s marquee event while Guwahati will play host to the youth women’s world championship later this month. “This continues our endeavour to ensure that boxing continues to grow in the country,” he said.