New Delhi: The leading Boxers of India have been hit by the third wave of Covid-19 ongoing.
A total of 12 men’s elite boxers, including governing World Boxing Champion of the Sachin Youth and 2017 Boxing National Champion Muhammed Etash Khan, have been found infected with Coronavirus at the Indian National Advantage (NCE) Sport Authority in Nis Patiala.
Coach of Indian Men’s Boxing Head Narendra Rana and Coach (Coordination) Ca Kuttappa also went down with symptoms.
This is the second time Kuttappa, a former head of the man coach, has fallen ill at Covid-19 – he suffered an infection in NIS during the deadly second delta wave in April last year.
A total of 18 national campers have been diagnosed with Covid-19 at the Indian National Training camp federation (BFI) for elite men’s boxers in NIS.
The camp, which will continue until March 14, has been organized in preparation for Birmingham CWG and Hangzhou Asian Games.
Among the boxers who have been infected with Covid-19 are Kuldeep Kumar (48kg), Sachin (57kg), Muhammed Etash Khan (60kg), Safe Indora (60kg), Vijay Kumar (60kg), Dalveer Singh Tomar (63.5kg), Ashish Chaudhary (63.5kg), Keisham Johnson Singh (63.5kg), Akash (67kg), Sandeep Kumar (67kg), Nikhil Dubey (75kg) and Sagar (+ 92kg).
Coach staff members fell with viruses including Narendra Rana, CA Kuttappa and Assistant Coach Suranjoy Singh, while supporting staff personnel were Masseurs Vijay Cambodia and Pawan Kumar and Nitin Kumar video analyst.
The team of doctors Karanjeet Singh has also experienced symptoms and he also looked down with Covid.
He remains not available for comments.
A total of 63 boxers in various categories and 27 training staff and support are part of the camp.
A separate national camp for women’s elite boxer is currently taking place at Indura Indira Gandhi (IGI) stadium here.
This camp has 57 female boxers, including Bronze Bronze Olympics Bronze Lovlina Borghain, and 25 training and support staff.
Two camps are part of the annual training calendar approved by the Ministry of Sport and Indian Sports Authority (SAI).
It has been studied that all members affected by Covid have been included in isolation at the quarantine facility in one of the hostels in NIS.
In accordance with the Covid Health Protocol of the State Government, the boxers, coaches and support staff staff will remain under the observation for one week and will be tested RT-PCR on the sixth day of their quarantine.
Last year too, Covid-19 had hit the most difficult Indian boxing.
A total of 13 boxers and coaches were found to be infected with a virus, including Deepak Kumar (52kg), Etash (57kg), Manjeet Singh (+ 91kg) and Narendra Kumar (+ 91kg).
The national coach of the team Jai singing Patil and Kuttappa was also between infected.
To control the spread of the virus, it has been decided by the authorities to suspend the training session involving sparring training and contacts in the boxing camp.
This camp has four boxers in each heavy category.
Along with the ruling national champion, representing India at the World Championship in 2021 in Belgrade Serbia, the winner of the silver medal is also part of the camp.
The remaining two names of boxers, in each category, have been chosen based on their appearance in trials that occur after the elite national championship at Bellary Karnataka in September last year.
Sai has, on January 10, emerged with a press statement, announcing the closing of 67 Sai training centers throughout the country.
“Given the increase in Covid-19 cases, Sai has decided to cover 67 training centers throughout the country.
The decision also came after the direction issued by various countries to suspend sports activities for the safety of athletes.
STCS will be reopened after reviewing the situation in time.”
Exclusive Toi: Indian Boxing Camp in NIS Hit by Covid-19
