A 15 member Indian Youth boxing team will leave the capital on Saturday to take part in the Cuban Youth Olympics. The tournament to be held from the 18th to the 30th July, 2011 in Havana, will witness some of the best boxing nations vying for top honours. Though, more than the medals, participating teams would be looking to gain valuable experience out of this tournament. The tournament will serve as a tune up to the Youth Commonwealth, which is scheduled to be held in September this year. A minimum of 20 teams are expected to take part in the event.
For the selected boxers who would be representing India at the event, it is a perfect opportunity to get more match practice under their belt, especially with the Youth Commonwealth Games around the corner. Moreover the event will also provide an ideal platform for the young Indian Colts to excel and make a name in the international arena. “It is a new team with only a few members having had previous experience of competition abroad and that too very limited, therefore the event will be perfect to prep them mentally for the mega events that will follow; the experience gained here will add value to their repertoire and enhance the confidence of our boys”, says coach in charge G Manoharan. Talking about India’s chances at the tournament, he added, “Although the competition will be tough, we are hopeful of a good showing – A lot depends on the draw as well”.
Tara Chand of Madhya Pradesh the reigning youth national champion in the light fly weight category featured on the senior tour at the Fifth Super Cup in Mumbai; where he finished with a bronze medal. The 17 year old, who would be participating in his first international tournament expressed, “I am thankful to my coaches for helping me get this opportunity and I hope to do give my best shot”. Balakrishna Vankala, also a youth national champion in the in the fly weight division, has a pragmatic approach and believes this tournament will be a big learning curve for them. He said, “This is my first international event and I want to absorb as much as possible and gradually build my confidence as well as enhance my skill in the ring.”
Govardhan Nambala (56kg) who bagged a gold medal at Junior International boxing tournament in Turkey is keenly looking forwarded to the event, hoping to build on his experience. “I am excited about this competition; a good performance here will help me get selected for the upcoming events, like the Youth Asian and World Championships”.
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The complete squad is as follows:
S.No |
Name |
Wt. Cat. |
Unit |
1. |
K Sagar |
Light Fly Weight (49kg) |
AP |
2. |
Tara Chand |
Light Fly Weight (49kg) |
MP |
3. |
Rahul Poonia |
Light Fly Weight (49kg) |
HAR |
4. |
Balakrishna Vankala |
Fly Weight (52kg) |
AP |
5. |
Bibek Subba |
Fly Weight (52kg) |
ARU |
6. |
Ajay Kumar |
Bantam Weight (56kg) |
HAR |
7. |
Mohd. Hussamuddin |
Bantam Weight (56kg) |
AP |
8. |
Govardhan Nambala |
Bantam Weight (56kg) |
KAR |
9. |
Rohit Tokas |
Light Weight (60kg) |
DEL |
10. |
Rohit Shrestha |
Light Weight (60kg) |
KAR |
11. |
Lokesh Bhoj |
Light Weight (60kg) |
SSCB |
12. |
Deepak Tanwar |
Light Welter Weight (64kg) |
HAR |
13. |
Shubham Gulati |
Light Welter Weight (64kg) |
CHD |
14. |
Gurleen Singh |
Welter Weight (69kg) |
PUN |
15. |
Abhishek Beniwal |
Middle Weight (75kg) |
SSCB |
16. |
Surender Singh |
Middle Weight (75kg) |
HAR |
Support Staff |
1. |
Manahoran Ganapathay |
Coach |
2. |
Braja Bhusan Mohanty |
Coach |
3. |
Periyar Ganapathy |
Coach |
4. |
Sahir Pall |
Doctor |
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