New Delhi: Indian boxers faced an unexpected setback ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with almost half of the team’s luggage missing during their journey from Belfast to Glasgow just days before the tournament.The 22-year-old Indian fighter arrived in Glasgow on Tuesday after training in Belfast, but several bags failed to make the short flight, leaving several boxers without their training gear and clothes ahead of Thursday’s ceremony.Among those involved are Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg), world champion Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), Parveen Hooda (65kg), Jadumani Singh (55kg), Kapil Pokhariya (90kg) and men’s head coach C. Kuttappa, along with a few other members of the group.According to a report by the news agency PTI, according to the crew members, the plane traveling on the Belfast-Glasgow route was small, which resulted in the abandonment of some of the cargo.The rare item contains the necessary training equipment and ceremonial clothing that Indian boxers are expected to wear at the CWG opening ceremony.With the boxing tournament scheduled to begin on Friday, the player is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the shipment to avoid disrupting his final phase of preparation.Ironically, this was the second time the group had encountered the same problem during the trip. Such a delay occurred earlier this month when traveling from Doha to Belfast for a training camp.The professional has been dealing with another problem in boxing management because the coach of the women says he did not sleep in the same hotel as the players.
India is witnessing another strong boxing campaign
Despite external challenges, India enters the Glasgow Games with high expectations.The women’s team is led by Olympic bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain, world No. 1 Jaismine Lamboria, Asian Games bronze medalist Preeti Pawar and World Cup gold medalist Arundhati Chaudhary, all of whom made it to the Asian Championships this year.Among the men, Sachin Siwach and Narender Berwal are expected to lead India’s medal race following their successful continental performances.At the previous Commonwealth Games, Indian boxers returned with seven medals, including three golds and one silver, and the Glasgow team hopes to keep the rich tradition alive.
Mary Kom helps lift the medal but upset gold hopes
Indian boxer MC Mary Kom is confident that the team will be able to bring home several medals but admitted that she is not expecting a gold sweep this time around.“We will win a medal but I don’t expect gold. If it comes, I will be happy,” the six-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist said in an interview to PTI. “In the Commonwealth Games, we should be at least a gold medal. I pray that we win everything.”The 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist said representing India is a big responsibility and expressed confidence that the current crop will give everything to the country.“I just want to wish them the best. It’s not easy to represent India. They’re all getting a role, not just taking part. They have also decided to return with national medals,” he said.However, Mary Kom also expressed concern about the current state of boxing in India, questioning recent decisions and complaining about the lack of cooperation between the Boxing Federation of India and former champions.