Demanding a trial bout against six-time world champion Mary Kom before India’s squad for 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan, former junior world champion Nikhat Zareen has written to union sports minister Kiren Rijiju.
Zareen was refused a trial by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) for the World Championships in Russia recently and the Manipuri champion pugilist was selected ahead of her.
In a tweet to Rijiju, Zareen wrote, “All I want is a fair chance. If I’m not given the opportunity to compete with what I am training for. Sports is about FairPlay & I don’t want to lose faith in my country. Jai Hind.”
All I want is a fair chance.If I’m not given the opporunity to compete what am I training for. Sports is about FairPlay & I dont want to loose faith in my country.Jai Hind @KirenRijiju @RijijuOffice #AjaySingh @Media_SAI @DGSAI @BFI_official @kishanreddybjp @PMOIndia #TopsAthlete pic.twitter.com/t1ie62tMJy
— Nikhat Zareen (@nikhat_zareen) October 17, 2019
Mary Kom won her eight world medal at the recently-concluded championships in Russia in the 51 kg category.
Mary Kom is also considered by the BFI for the Olympic qualifiers on the back of her bronze-winning show at the championships.
Qualifiers are scheduled in China in February next year.
Mary Kom said that she would follow the BFI guidelines on selection trials and is ready to compete if the federation asks her to do so.