The Indian Olympic Association is doing precious little in providing optimal training facilities for their athletes in preparation for the Commonwealth Games to be followed by the Asian Games. Tired of training under stifling conditions in India, the nation’s top boxers and wrestlers are looking westwards for more options.
Europe has emerged as the most favoured destination, with the hockey team already embarking on a month-long tour starting in Germany, soon to be followed by the wrestlers who will leave for Belarus while the pugilists might be heading to the United Kingdom.
“The federation has to take the final decision. But in all likelihood it could be UK. The cool climatic conditions there is a big advantage,” Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh told this newspaper on Wednesday.
Indian athletes will bear the added pressure of being the hosts and looking to build on their 49-medal haul from the 2006 Melbourne Games.
Wrestler Sushil Kumar, who won a bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is also looking forward to their stint in Belarus. “The training equipment and the support staff is much superior in the European countries. We’ll be leaving for Belarus soon but would have preferred to train here in Delhi. After all we’ll be competing here,” Sushil said.
Vijender’s fellow pugilist Akhil Kumar, who won a gold medal at the Melbourne Games, is looking forward to his stint in Tajikistan. “I have spent a lot of time on the sidelines due to injuries over the last year. Competing against top class opponents from UK, Australia and Ghana in a tournament is much better than spending hours in the gym with punching bags.
“What I need most at this stage is a good physio who can help me in quick recovery,” Akhil felt.
The boxers also intend to utilise the time to study their opponents for the CWG. “Boxers from UK will be among our biggest competitiors. It will be good to train with them in England and study their techniques,” Vijender added.