Women boxers try to beat Delhi smog at championship

WOMEN’S WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS BEING HELD AMID ALARMING POLLUTION LEVELS

Women boxers training for a world championship starting in the Indian capital this week are wearing surgical masks, scarves and even Tshirts across their mouths as the level of air pollution rises several times beyond the safe limit.

The AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships is taking place in an indoor stadium from tomorrow through to November 24, but teams are complaining about a toxic smog hanging over the city, caused by seasonal burning of crop stubble and emissions from vehicles and industry.

The weather, with no wind to blow the pollution away, has aggravated the problem in one of the world’s most polluted cities.

“My family is worried. We know it is not good for our body,” said 27-year old Bulgarian Stanimira Petrova, a goldmedallist in the bantamweight category in the championships in 2014.

“It’s difficult. I wear a scarf but I have to get accustomed.” Yesterday, the level of deadly particulate matter PM 2.5 that lodge deep in the lungs was at 407, about eight times the safe limit, according to a reading by the pollution control board.

Vehicle ban

Authorities have banned the entry of heavy vehicles into the city and ordered construction work to stop and sprinklers to keep down the dust. But the air quality remains in the severe zone.

Seven European boxers whom Reuters spoke to complained that the air left a bad taste and irritated their eyes.

Their coaches said they were advised about the poor air but organisers had not given them any protective gear.

Ajay Singh, president of the Boxing Federation of India, said ■ Delhi’s air quality was improving as the effects of last week’s Hindu festival of Diwali — when tens of thousands of firecrackers are let off, clogging the air with smoke — were wearing off.

“I’m confident there will not be any problems faced by the boxers especially with the championship being held indoors. We have all the necessary standards maintained and precautions taken.”

French coach Anthony Veniant said he had asked for the tournament to be moved out ■ of Delhi but turned down.

“We feel the air is no good. Some of the parents of these players are worried and we tell our players to restrict their time outside,” Veniant said. his request was

Bloomberg Vehicles travelling along a road that is shrouded in smog in Delhi. The smog has been caused by seasonal burning of crop stubble and emissions from vehicles and industry.

Reuters Colombian boxer Dayana Cordero covers her face with a cloth after her practice session ahead of AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.