Shillong, November 11, 2023: Meghalaya’s capital, Shillong, is set to host a spectacle of top-tier boxing talent as the 7th Elite Men’s National Boxing Championship descends upon the SAI Indoor Stadium on the NEHU campus. Organized by the Meghalaya Boxing Association (MBA) and Boxing Federation of India (BFI) and generously sponsored by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, the championship is a pivotal preparatory ground for India’s boxers eyeing the 2024 Olympic Games.
More than 350 boxers from across the country will compete in 13 different weight categories, ranging from 46kg to 92kg. The championship, scheduled from November 25 to December 1, promises intense battles and glorious victories as pugilists vie for supremacy.
Top male boxers, including the illustrious two-time Olympian and 6-time Asian Championship medalist Shiva Thapa, 2018 Asian Games champion Amit Panghal, and 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Rohit Tokas, are expected to headline the competition.
The event has not only attracted an impressive lineup of boxers but also more than 100 coaches and 60 technical officials, further solidifying its status as a prestigious sporting affair.
Preparations are in full swing, with the organizing committee, comprising members of the MBA and Sports and Youth Affairs Department, leaving no stone unturned. The estimated budget of around Rs 1 crore will cover essential aspects such as food, lodging, logistics, and other necessities.
Larry Kharpran, Joint Secretary of the BFI, emphasized the crucial role of government support in facilitating amateur boxing events, where avenues for private sponsorship are limited.
Selections for Meghalaya boxers are set to commence tomorrow, with approximately 10 local talents expected to showcase their skills in the championship. Kharpran expressed optimism about their performance, citing previous successes in the East Zone Elite Men’s Boxing Championship in August.
The 7th Elite Men’s National Boxing Championship not only promises a high-octane sporting spectacle but also reinforces Shillong’s position as a hub for prestigious sporting events.
