Won’t spar at camp unless there is a solution: Mary Kom

New Delhi: With the federal government passing tips to open stadiums and sports activities complexes in lockdown 4.0, elite athletes are anticipated to return to coaching after practically two months. Multiple-time world champion and London Olympics bronze medallist MC Mary Kom, nevertheless, is apprehensive about becoming a member of the nationwide camp and desires to attend for some extra time earlier than taking a name.

Sparring is an important a part of coaching for boxers and Mary Kom mentioned boxers wouldn’t be comfy in current circumstances. She additionally feels that involved sport issues can normalise provided that there may be any answer to COVID-19 – be it a vaccine or a treatment.

“Everyone is fighting against the virus and there is no solution right now. I am still scared whether I will join or not (national camp). Even if I join, since our game is a contact sport, until and unless there is a solution, I think I have to skip some training part like sparring, fighting, doing skill training with partner,” Mary Kom mentioned.

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has redrawn its coaching protocol as per which sparring and excessive depth coaching won’t happen instantly. Mary Kom mentioned she would focus on with coaches and see for herself what precautions are being taken.

“The government has opened the stadiums and we will be called for national camp. They will have to take extra precaution to protect the athletes. In any contact sport you cannot take the risk. It can be dangerous. You have to be just careful, you cannot blame anyone. If anything happens who will be responsible?

“I will go to the national camp and see the situation. I will discuss with coaches how they are going to give the training and accordingly I will decide. But sparring won’t be possible and I will request the coaches not to allow it.”

“I can do other fitness activities but I will avoid some because it is risky. I don’t want to put my life to risk. Life is more important than anything else,” she mentioned.

The 37-year-old has certified for Tokyo Olympics within the 51kg class after successful bronze on the Asian qualifiers in March.

Since the Olympics has been postponed until subsequent 12 months, Mary Kom mentioned there may be nonetheless sufficient time to organize. She has been following her personal health regime at dwelling through the lockdown interval. “I always maintain my fitness whether I am at home or at camp. I know training in national camp is completely different. You can never compare that with the fitness routine at home. In camps the fitness level goes up so much because there will be proper training programme and it will be monitored. But there is still time for the Olympics. I can begin training after some time.”

Mary Kom feels until there’s a vaccine for COVID 19, contact sports activities won’t ever be the identical. “You have to always live in fear and you won’t be able to do anything properly.”