Indian boxers stuck in Patiala as visa delay hampers UK training trip ahead of World Championships

Indian boxers' preparations for the World Championships in Liverpool have hit a snag as visa complications have disrupted their planned training trip to Sheffield, UK. While four women boxers and some coaching staff have reached the UK, the 10-member men's team and six women pugilists remain at the national camp in NIS Patiala, awaiting their clearances for the crucial multinational training camp scheduled from August 17 to September 1.The squad was originally scheduled to depart on Sunday to participate in the training camp, which serves as a vital preparation for the World Championships taking place from September 4 to 14.

Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

The male boxers currently have access to only one coach, as three others, including head coach Dharmendra Yadav, are already in Sheffield."Yes, the three of us have reached here but all the (male) boxers are still waiting for their visas.

We had to start sparring in the multinational camp from Wednesday but we cancelled it as we don't know when the visa will arrive and when the boxers will be able to reach here," Yadav told PTI.The Boxing Federation of India's Interim Committee is working to resolve the situation. Committee member Col Arun Malik provided an update on the situation."However, as the process is largely automated, interventions so far have not been able to resolve the delays.

That said, we have received 3 more visas, and 12 members of our 31-member contingent, including 4 women boxers, have already reached England. On our part, all logistical arrangements are ready, and the moment we have clarity, we will ensure that the remaining players travel to England without delay. We remain hopeful that the pending cases will be resolved soon, enabling the entire team to join the camp at the earliest," Malik stated.

Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen, Minakshi, Pooja Rani, and Nupur Sheoran have successfully reached Sheffield, while prominent athletes like Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain, Commonwealth Games bronze-winner Jaismine Lamboria, and Asian Games medallist Narender Berwal remain in Patiala.Women's head coach D Chandralal, who received his visa but stayed back for the BFI elections, shared his perspective on the situation."Four (female) boxers have reached and 2 coaches are there in the UK.

I have received my visa but I stayed back for the BFI elections. But I have given the plan to the coaches there and they will conduct training according to that. They have some sparring sessions scheduled. In the meantime after the elections I'll stay with the rest of the boxers," Chandralal said.The Sheffield training camp, hosted at the Great Britain Boxing headquarters, will feature teams from Ireland, France, Germany, Uzbekistan, the USA, Poland, and other nations.This World Championships will mark a historic first under the new governing body, World Boxing, featuring competitions across 10 weight classes for both men and women. Additionally, it will be the first time male and female boxers compete in Olympic-style events at the same championship.