The much-anticipated combined Elite Men and Women National Boxing Championships in Greater Noida got off to a disastrous start on Sunday, marred by chaos and significant delays that left the country's top pugilists waiting for hours. The landmark event, which was scheduled to begin at 2 pm at Gautam Buddha University, finally saw its first bout only at 6:30 pm after a delay of over four hours, attributed by officials to logistical failures.
Infrastructure Failure and Prolonged Uncertainty
The opening day was defined by poor preparedness and prolonged uncertainty. Despite plans for three competition rings to be operational, only one was assembled by around 4 pm. Even this single ring had to be taken apart and reassembled after a technical fault was detected, further adding to the delay. Consequently, the first of the 80 scheduled bouts—38 in the women's section and 42 in the men's—began deep into the evening.
The situation was worse for the women boxers. As late as 8 pm, there was still no clarity on when their bouts would commence, with the third ring yet to be set up and no official communication provided to the athletes. The prolonged wait took a visible toll, with boxers seen trying to pass time by listening to music or pacing the hall.
Behind the Scenes: Locked Gates and Payment Issues
Sources revealed that the core of the problem was the organisers' inability to set up the rings and equipment overnight because the gates of Gautam Buddha University were locked. "There were some communication issues, and the organisers did not know that the University gates would be closed for the night. So, they had to wait till the next day to set up everything," a source explained.
Another source familiar with the matter indicated that payment-related issues were the actual cause of the delay. "Work only began after payment was made to the vendor," the source added. However, Boxing Federation of India (BFI) secretary general Pramod Kumar publicly stated to PTI that the holdup was due to "certain logistical issues."
A Star-Studded Field Faces Disorganization
The disorganization overshadowed what is a crucial domestic tournament featuring the cream of Indian boxing. The event, already delayed from its original late December schedule, sees participation from nearly 600 boxers across the country. They will compete in 10 weight categories each for men and women, with the competition concluding on January 10.
The women's section boasts a stellar lineup including world champion Jaismine Lamboria, Olympian Nikhat Zareen, reigning world champion Minakshi Hooda, Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain, and Asian Games bronze medallist Preeti Pawar. The men's competition features top contenders like World Boxing Cup Finals gold medallists Hitesh Gulia and Sachin Siwach, silver medallist Abhinash Jamwal, and World Championships silver medallist Amit Panghal.
This edition is historic as it marks the first time the men's and women's national championships are being staged together at the same venue. However, the chaotic opening day has raised serious questions about the planning and execution capabilities of the organizers, casting a shadow over a premier domestic sporting event.
