New Delhi: Visa-related complications has hampered Indian boxers’ training trip to the UK ahead of the crucial World Championships. The Indian boxer’ squad was scheduled to travel to the UK on Sunday to take part in a multinational training camp in Sheffield. This training camp has been organised as a build-up to the World Championships in Liverpool from September 4 to 14.
Out of the entire squad, only four women boxers and few members of the coaching staff have managed to secure visas and reach the country for the training program. Rest of pugilists are awaiting their clearances. These comprise the 10-member men’s team and six women all of who remain at the national camp in NIS Patiala.
At the current moment, the male boxers have the services of only one coach as three others including head coach have already reached Sheffield. The head coach Dharmendra Yadav confirmed to news agency PTI that three of the coaches have reached the UK but all the male boxers are still waiting for their visas.
‘We had to start sparring in the multinational camp from Wednesday but we cancelled it as we don’t know when the visa will arrive and when the boxers will be able to reach here,’ he said.
‘The Interim Committee, which is managing the day-to-day affairs of the Boxing Federation of India, said it’s in “constant touch” with Indian Embassy in the UK, Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India “to help expedite the visa process,’ he added.
The multinational camp, which has started on August 17 and will run till September 1, features teams from Ireland, France, Germany, Uzbekistan, the USA, and Poland, among others. This edition of the World Championships will be the first to be held under the aegis of the new governing body – World Boxing.
(With PTI inputs)