Impressive Medal Haul
Himachal Pradesh boxers showcased their talent at the ongoing National Games in Uttarakhand, bringing home an impressive total of five medals. The contingent won two silver and three bronze medals, marking a significant achievement for the state.

In the women’s category, Vinakshi claimed a silver medal, while Menka and Ekta secured bronze medals. In the men’s category, Ashish Negi won silver, and Chetan Chaudhary earned a bronze medal.

Best-Ever Performance for the State
SK Shandil, Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Boxing Association, praised the boxers’ performance, stating, “This is the best-ever performance by our state boxers. With a little more luck, we could have won a gold medal as well.”

Challenges Faced by State Boxers
While celebrating the success, Shandil emphasized the challenges faced by these athletes. Many boxers train outside the state in Haryana and Punjab, often using their personal resources. Though some have been admitted to the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence, the lack of infrastructure and coaching facilities in Himachal remains a significant hurdle.

“There are only two regular boxing coaches in the entire state. A few others are hired under the Khelo India program, but it is far from sufficient,” Shandil added.

Call for Government Support
To enhance the state’s boxing prospects, Shandil called for government intervention. “We need at least one boxing coach in each district to identify and train talent at the grassroots level,” he said. He also proposed setting up two dedicated sports hostels—one for boys and one for girls—equipped with professional facilities, including:

• Experienced coaches
• Physiotherapists
• Nutritionists
• Sports medicine doctors

“These hostels should function as centres of excellence, providing all the necessary resources to nurture future champions,” Shandil stated.