BFI's Clause Bars National Medallists from COAS Cup
Image Source: Internet
New Delhi: National boxing medallists who were excluded from the national camp during the evaluation process last month have asked the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) to allow them to compete in the COAS Cup.
The tournament is a second pathway for boxers to be inducted into the camp before the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games this year.
The entry in the COAS Cup, to be held in Pune from March 31, though has been restricted for national medallists who went through the evaluation process in camp as BFI seeks to scout emerging talent.
Boxers like two-time Olympian and 2018 Asian Games gold medallist Amit Panghal and Neeraj Phogat, who won bronze in the World Boxing Cup Finals, have been affected by the BFI's rule.
Phogat has written to Sports Authority of India saying BFI's clause renders her "ineligible to participate in the tournament despite being a national medallist."
BFI justified its stance, saying tournaments like COAS Cup are organised to identify and scout emerging talent from outside the national tournament ecosystem.
