World Boxing Champion Mary Kom resigns as the national observer

NewsBharati    02-Dec-2017
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New Delhi, December 2: World Boxing Champion Mary Kom has resigned from the post of National observer for Indian boxing after Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore made it clear that active sportspersons will not be considered for the position.

 

Mary Kom said today that she resigned as national observer 10 days ago after having a word with the Minister. She said that she had been requested to take up the position, and it was not something she had asked for.

Mary Kom claimed her fifth Asian Championships gold medal last month.The 35-year-old Olympic bronze-medallist was among 12 national observers appointed in March by Sports Minister Vijay Goel.

“I had inquired about the rule on not having active athletes as observers with the then Sports Secretary Injeti Srinivas when it was offered to me,” she explained, reacting to the insinuation that her appointment smacked of conflict of interest given that she is still an active national camper.

“But at that time, I was told that I should nonetheless accept the position. I did on the insistence of the Ministry and I don’t want unnecessary controversies about something that I had not asked for” She added.

"I was never interested in this but accepted the position because I had been requested. I have my hands full with a lot of things. I am happy to let it go and have no complaints," said Mary Kom.