‘Resolve IOA mess soon’
M.C. Mary Kom
Deeply upset with the International Olympic Committee’s suspension of the Indian Olympic Association, London Games bronze-medallist boxer M.C. Mary Kom appealed to the top brass to find a way out to save sportpersons’ careers.
“We will be grateful if the higher authorities find a solution as soon as possible. I don’t want to suffer. We want to play with a free mind to get more medals,” the five-time world champion said.
“I am not a politician, I am a sportsperson. But we all are very upset. We can’t continue our careers. If we can’t fight at the international meets, then what’s the use of being a player?
“With this (impasse), our training suffers. The boxing federation supports me but I don’t know what is going on.
“So I am focusing only on training and competition, giving my best to earn medals for the country. If they remove the ban, we will be really grateful,” the 29-year-old mother of two said.
The diminutive boxer, who won a bronze in the 51kg category at the London Olympics, said she had no competitions lined up right now.
“But in 2013, there is the Asian Championship in May and some meets for the youngsters.”
New to the 51kg weight category, Mary hoped her pet category of 48kg will be introduced at the next Olympics at Rio.
“I will have to discuss with the coaches. I hope 48kg is introduced in 2016. Then I’ll try to win gold.”
Named as one the national icons by the Election Commission, the Olympian said: “It’s really a big honour. In politics, we want good persons, good support.”
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