Six time world champion Mary Kom on Saturday questioned the stature of fellow boxer Nikhat Zareen following the latter’s request for a trial bout against her.
Zareen on Thursday written a letter to sports minister Kiren Rijiju requesting a trial bout against MC Mary Kom for selection of India’s squad for 2020 Tokyo Olympic qualifiers.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Also read: Govt can’t dictate federations on players’ selection: Rijiju
Mary said, “Who is she? I don’t know her. What’s her standing?”
The ace boxer said that the decision of selection of boxers lies completely with the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) and she will compete in a trial round with Zareen if the federation decides it.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
She also said that she had never told the BFI that she wanted to skip trials and would not be scared of competing against Zareen if she is allowed to do so.
“I don’t know why Zareen is bringing in my name into this again and again. I don’t know what is her interest or if she want popularity,” Mary added.
Also read: Kiren Rijiju responds to Nikhat Zareen’s tweet on trial bout against Mary Kom
Zareen wrote in her letter that she is disappointed with the fact that the BFI has selected Mary without a trial.
“I have been reliably informed that the rule is now being changed again to accommodate my senior Mary Kom as the Indian candidate without a trial,” Zareen wrote in her letter.
Meanwhile ace shooter Abhinav Bindra supported Zareen’s request.
He tweeted,” While I have all the respect for Marykom, Fact is, an athletes life is an offering of proof. Proof that we can be as good as yesterday. Better than yesterday. Better than tomorrows man /woman. In sport, yesterday NEVER counts.”
Mary said the star India shooter should not get involved in boxing as he is not well versed about the rules of the sport.