Asian Championships bronze medallist Nikhat Zareen has alleged that MC Mary Kom was selected for World Championships without any contests.

According to Zareen, the boxing federation didn’t conduct trials for the 51kg and 69kg categories.

The trials began on Tuesday at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi, but the change of plan prompted Zareen to write to Boxing Federation of India (BFI) president Ajay Singh.

“As per our discussion yesterday and your assurance that my bout for the 51kg for the World Championships trials will surely happen today, I’m surprised to see that the schedule list which was circulated this (Wednesday) morning, my name and weight category doesn’t feature.

"This is in light of the fact that yesterday my name and weight category was there in the schedule (and) was supposed to be the first bout. Still, at the last moment, we were told by all of you officials that my fight with Vanduatilal of All India Police will not take place. I request an urgent explanation as to what is happening and what is the final decision in this regard,” Zareen wrote, according to Indian Express.

The trials are taking place till Thursday, bouts in six categories including 51kg were scheduled for Tuesday before the BFI selection committee took their decision.

“All the boxers were present in the hall and had read about the notice and schedule about the bouts. Nikhat was told just before her bout that there will be no trials in her category,” said a women boxer, who is a member of the national camp, according to Indian Express.

Justifying the selection, chairman of selectors Rajesh Bhandari said Mary’s record in the ring, as well as her recent form, made them cancel the trial.

“We had told the boxers after the selection committee meeting on Tuesday that we will not have trials in 51kg and 69kg categories. We received a representation from Mary Kom’s coach Chotte Lal Yadav and we all came to the conclusion that Mary has performed consistently in this weight category and has the experience and performance,” Bhandari said, according to Indian Express.

“We all were of the view that Mary needs to prepare for the World Championships and Olympic qualifiers. Mary has a plan and she did not participate in Asian Championships as she was focusing on training. Hence, we decided that there should be no trials in the 51kg category. Mary had defeated Nikhat at the India Open earlier this year and Nikhat had only won bronze there. We also decided against holding trials in the 69kg class.

“Regarding trials before the Olympic qualifiers next year, we will meet on August 19 and decide whether to have them or give preference to individual performance,” he said.

While conducting trials, the BFI has been following a new selection policy based on performance and ranking with exceptions in some weight categories for the last two years. 

With the Olympic qualifiers - eight in men’s categories and five in women’s categories - from January to April next year, the national body will come up with the selection criteria soon, according to Indian Express.