NEW DELHI: Raffaele Bergamasco is feeling ‘humiliated’ and is ‘extremely disappointed’ with the way authorities in India have treated him despite putting in his “heart and soul” into Indian boxing. All Bergamasco — women’s boxing’s High Performance Director (HPD) — wanted was some respect from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Boxing Federation of India (BFI) after spending close to four years coaching the country’s elite female boxers.
Even if the authorities didn’t want to renew the Italian’s contract post the Indian boxing contingent’s disappointing campaign at the Tokyo Olympics (July 23 to August 8), the officials could have told him that rather than offer him just a three-months’ extension.
Bergamasco, 50, kept sending mails to BFI and SAI from his IGI stadium accommodation post his return from Tokyo, seeking clarity on his contract which he wanted to be renewed until Paris 2024.
After his mails elicited no response, the coach left for his hometown in Assisi in late September with a lot of sadness and bitterness inside him.
His contract ended on September 30, 2021.
Since then, the authorities have made no efforts to communicate with him, even to apprise him that his services are no longer required. Neither has Bergamasco sent any more mails to ascertain his future.
“I am disappointed and angry because next year it will be important to continue with my training programme. Now I don’t know what will happen,” Bergamasco told TOI from Assisi.
Next year, Indian boxers will compete in the Birmingham CWG and Hangzhou Asian Games.
“I am also disappointed with the girls (for not backing me). I don’t want to communicate (with BFI, SAI) anymore. I haven’t sent an email for my extension. I left because I didn’t like their behaviour towards me. I am very disappointed.”
Bergamasco said he’s actively considering coaching offers from other boxing nations.
“Yes, I will now listen to other offers. I have already been contacted by other federations; I will decide in January.”
