BOXER DEFENDS CARRYING GUN
NEW DELHI: Boxer Neeraj Goyat on Tuesday said that he keeps a licenced revolver with him for selfdefence after media reports said he had a gun with him during the camp at the NIS.
“I have my licenced revolver which I carry with me for self-defence. I always keep it in my car. There are some personal issues with someone which I don’t want to disclose,” Goyat said.
“Whether it was allowed to carry inside NIS (National Institute of Sports) or not, I don’t know of any guidelines. But it was in my car. I never took it to the room during the two days I was there,” Goyat added.
of 28 including coaches and support staff who reported in Patiala. Among them were Amit Panghal (52kg) and Ashish Kumar (75kg). Simarnjit Kaur (60kg) and Pooja Rani (75kg) were among the women boxers who reported along with Sonia Lather and Manisha who have been called with an eye on the next Olympic qualifying cycle. Mary Kom, who had qualified in the 51kg, did not and Manish Kaushik (63kg) has a wrist injury and has been excused. Both CA Kuttappa, the men’s head coach, and Mohammed Ali Qamar, chief women’s coach, have joined.
The boxers’ camp got off to a rocky start with Vikas Krishan (69kg) and Satish Kumar (plus 91kg) being asked to leave for violating quarantine norms.
Patil testing positive was when
Covid-19 caught up with the boxing squad. They were training in Italy and had to take an emergency flight out when caseloads spiked. They went to the Olympic qualifier in Jordan where many participants tested positive. The boxers returned to New Delhi in March and the camp was disbanded. After over three months, they had assembled in Patiala.
The boxers were quarantined before entering the main campus of NIS in Patiala. Instead of single room, the squad stayed in a dormitory at SAI training centre, 2km from the main NIS campus. Meals would be prepared in NIS’S main kitchen and delivered by a SAI employee.
One of the boxers in quarantine said he is not happy with the dormitory.
“In my opinion we should wait and not rush in having camp,” said Kowli.
The sentiment was shared by a coach of the shooting squad. The coach, who did not wish to be named, said travel could be an issue. “Many states are closing borders again and travel will be risky. There is no competition right now, so we can wait for some more time,” said the coach.
A shooter also agreed that travelling could be challenging. “We have not been intimated yet. I will see what are the safety protocols being followed and will then decide,” said the shooter.
UNITED STAY FIFTH
MANCHESTER:MAN United’s Champions League qualification hopes suffered a blow after an equaliser deep in stoppage time from Michael Obafemi earned Southampton a 2-2 draw in the Premier League at Old Trafford.