Indian boxers returned from Paris with zero medals despite boasting of some proven performers in Tokyo Games bronze winner Lovlina Borgohain, two-time world championships gold medallist Nikhat Zareen and Asian and CWG champion Amit Panghal. Only Nishant Dev showed promise and fought his heart out in a close bout in the men's 71kg quarterfinal.
The pugilists' disappointing show has much to do with the Boxing Federation of India's (BFI) poor planning, overdependence on foreign experts, lack of trust in Indian coaches and introduction of a much-debatable evaluation test system at its national camps.
"It was an underwhelming performance by our boxers. We should have won at least two boxing medals. The authorities and federation must answer what they do to prepare our boxers for the Games," said Anoop Kumar, former head coach of the Indian women's boxing team.
Another coaching veteran Jagdeep Hooda, who trained both the men's and women's national teams from 2004-22, pinned the blame on the BFI's overdependence on foreign coaches and lack of quality sparring partners.
"Between the Tokyo and Paris Olympics cycle, three head coaches were changed making it difficult for our boxers to follow any particular coaching style. Then, the two foreign coaches - Bernand Dunne and Dmitry Dmitruk introduced the evaluation tests in camps and did away with the tried-and-tested process of holding selection trials," said Hooda.
BOXING: ATHLETES: 6 | MEDAL: 0
