Five teen pugilists from steel city are set to add more power to their punches.
With the required diet on their platter, Madhusudan Soy (15), Rohit Kumar (15), Rakesh Raut (14), Krishna Alda (17) and Pankaj Gope (15) will now enter the boxing ring with enhanced stamina and endurance, thanks to state boxing body for taking care of their dietary needs.
Jharkhand Boxing Association (JBA) president Anand Sen handed over cheques of Rs 1,000 to each pugilist at a function held at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Wednesday. The gesture will fulfil their dietary requirements. The cheques will be given to them every month for a year.
Sen, also president (steel and total quality management) of Tata Steel, said the scholarship was for one year. He called upon the recipients to work hard and win medals at national competitions. "The scholarship is a big development for the game. Support from our side will help boxers to play according to their potential," he added.
JBA secretary Charles Borromeo, who was also present at the event, said the five boxers were selected on the basis of feedbacks given by coaches and the district association. "We had shortlisted 20 boxers. The list was pruned to five after evaluation. Performance of the recipients will be evaluated after six months. The scholarship amount will go directly to the account of the respective boxers," he added.
According to him, the JBA facilitated opening of bank accounts of the pugilists.
The boxers, all from modest economic background and not having the required diet for the game, were glad to win scholarships and promised to put more efforts to pep up their prowess. "Feeling happy. My confidence will increase," said Madhusudan, a Tata Boxing Centre trainee, whose father is a casual labourer.
Pankaj, who trains at Mango Boxing Centre, said the gesture from the association would push him to work hard and win medals. "Will fight strongly now," the young pugilist, whose father is a mason, promised. Rohit is from Namda Boxing Centre while Rakesh hones his skills at Birsa Boxing Centre. Krishna is a product of Sitaramdera Boxing Centre.
