Published on Sep 11
GUWAHATI: The Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Guwahati is hosting the Nepal Boxing Team for an extended high-performance training camp ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The camp is providing the neighbouring country’s boxers with access to India’s elite sporting ecosystem as they enter the final phase of their preparations for the continental showpiece.
The nine-member delegation from Nepal, comprising seven boxers and two coaches, has been training at SAI NCOE Guwahati since August 10 and will remain at the centre until September 15 before travelling to Japan for the Asian Games, which begin on September 19.
A press conference was held at SAI Guwahati on Friday, attended by NCOE boxing coach Narendra Rana, Indian boxer Ankushita Boro, Nepal boxing team head coach Raj Shrestha, 51kg boxer Ramisha Shrestha and SAI Guwahati Executive Director D.K. Mittal.
Speaking about the training camp, Mittal said, “Sporting exchanges such as this help strengthen the bonds between India and Nepal and promote friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding. Sport serves as a powerful bridge connecting the people of India and Nepal,” he said.
The Nepal team comprises Ramisha Shrestha (51kg), Asmita Duwal (54kg), Kusum Tamang (65kg), Chandra Bahadur Thapa (55kg), Khagendra Roka Magar (60kg), Dan Bahadur Darlami (70kg) and Rabin Nepal (90kg). They are accompanied by coaches Raj Shrestha and Deepak Maharjan.
The boxers are undergoing intensive training under the guidance of SAI coaches Narendra Rana, Trideep Borah and Pranamika Borah. The programme focuses on technical development, physical conditioning, tactical preparation and competitive readiness.
Rana said the camp had been a valuable experience for both the Nepalese and Indian boxers.
“The training camp has been a valuable experience for both the Nepalese and Indian boxers. Training and sparring with boxers from the Indian Army and Meghalaya has given the Nepalese team a strong competitive environment and helped them work on different styles and tactical situations. We are happy to support their final preparations for the Asian Games and hope this exposure contributes to their performance in Aichi-Nagoya,” he said.
Nepal boxer Ramisha Shrestha, who will compete in the 51kg category, also spoke highly of the facilities and training environment at the Guwahati centre.
“Training at SAI NCOE Guwahati has been a great experience for us. The facilities, coaching and quality of sparring have helped us improve technically and physically,” she said.
PHOTO CREDIT: SAI