Boxing Federation of India Drops Champions Amit Panghal and Neeraj Phogat from National Camp
In a significant development for Indian boxing, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games gold medallist Amit Panghal and World Boxing Cup Finals bronze medallist Neeraj Phogat have been removed from the national camp. This decision follows their failure to meet the standards in an intensive month-long evaluation conducted at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala.
Strict Assessment Leads to Exclusion from Elite Training
The evaluation, which took place ahead of the upcoming Asian Championships scheduled from March 28 to April 11 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, was designed to assess boxers' form and readiness. Due to underwhelming performances during this rigorous assessment process, Panghal, who competes in the men's 55kg category, and Phogat, in the women's 65kg division, will now have to depart from the elite training camp.
Consequently, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has stated that both athletes will not be considered for selection in any upcoming international tournaments or multisport events. This exclusion impacts their potential participation in major competitions such as the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan, and the World Boxing Cup Finals in Uzbekistan later this year.
BFI Announces 20-Member Squad for Asian Championships
On Saturday, the BFI officially named a 20-member squad for the Asian Championships. The selection was based on a comprehensive ranking system across all weight categories, utilizing defined criteria and detailed assessment reports submitted by head coaches Santiago Nieva for the women's team and CA Kuttappa for the men's team.
According to BFI policy, the top-ranked boxer in each selected weight category will earn the right to represent India at the Asian Championships, with the second-ranked boxer designated as the reserve. This structured approach aims to ensure that only the most in-form athletes compete on the international stage.
Other Notable Boxers Miss Out on Selection
In addition to Panghal and Phogat, several other prominent boxers have also been omitted from the squad. The list includes men's boxers Pawan Barthwal (55kg), Nikhil (55kg), Md Hussamuddin (60kg), Sumeet Kundu (70kg), and Hitesh Gulia (70kg), as well as women's boxers Nitu Ghanghas (51kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (54kg), and Parveen Hooda (60kg).
Despite these exclusions, India's campaign at the Asian Championships will be led by two of its most decorated athletes. Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain and two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen have secured their spots after topping the rankings in their respective weight categories, providing a strong foundation for the team's performance.
The BFI's decision underscores its commitment to maintaining high standards and competitive excellence within the national boxing program, ensuring that only the best-performing athletes are given opportunities to represent the country in prestigious international events.
