Transport, Forest and Youth Services and Sports Minister Govind Singh Thakur said that 4th Elite Men’s National Boxing Championship would be organised at Shimla from 4th October to 10th October, 2019. He said that Olympic, Asian Games and world class boxers would participate during this week long championship.
He sought full cooperation and active participation of all concerned departments, boxing and other sports associations and private partners like Shimla Hotelier Association etc. to make this event a grand success. He said that boxers and other officials visiting for this championship would surely get the experience of rich culture and hospitality of Himachal Pradesh.
Shri Thakur said that state government was endeavouring to promote sports in a big way in Himachal Pradesh. He said that National Boxing Championship was a big event which state got after tough bidding with others states. He said that all efforts would be made to make it a big success. He said that people and tourists would get a good opportunity to watch top class boxing matches in the state capital.
President, Himachal Pradesh Boxing Association (HPBA) Rajesh Bhandari said that boxing was a popular game of the state and many boxers have brought laurels to Himachal Pradesh and country. He said that National level Boxing Championship had been organised successfully five times at Shimla.
He said that boxing teams from Railways, Services (Army, Navy & Air force), Haryana, Tamilnadu, Maharashtra, Manipur, Assam, Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Andhra Pradesh has already confirmed their participation. He said that there shall be tough competition for the top position amongst last year Champion Services and Runner up Railways and Haryana. Himachali Boxer Ashish Kumar, who is currently ranked as number one in Middle weight class (75 kilogram) will also be competing for the top honour.
Secretary General HPBA S.K. Shandil said that about 300 boxers from 38 teams of the country would participate during this championship. He said that two Boxing Rings would be set up and there would be three boxing sessions in morning, afternoon and evening.
Managing Director HPTDC Kumud Singh, Additional Superintendent Police Praveer Kumar, Additional Secretary GAD Manoj Tomar, Joint Commissioner MC Shimla Anil Sharma, Joint Director HIPA Jyoti Rana, Head of Programme DD Shimla Dhara Sarswati, AC to DC Shimla Chandan Kumar, Additional Director Kewal Sharma, Joint Director Education K.D. Sharma, Deputy Chief Engineer HPSEBL Rajiv Sood, Deputy Director Agriculture Anand Parashar, Deputy Director Tribal Development Kailash Chauhan, Deputy Director Health Services S. Sharma and other senior officers along with office bearers of HPBA participated in the meeting.
