Mary Kom Urges Boxers to Improve Post Olympics, Praises Army Sports Conclave

Olympic medallist Mary Kom expressed disappointment over India's medal-less run at the Paris 2024 Olympics, urging boxers to work harder. She praised the Army Sports Conclave and lauded the men's hockey team for their recent successes.

Olympic medallist Mary Kom voiced her disappointment over India's failure to secure a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, urging national boxers to intensify their efforts for future events. The six-time World Champion attended the Army Sports Conclave alongside other notable sports personalities.

India's representation in the Paris Olympics included six boxers, four women and two men, who aimed for podium finishes but fell short despite their best efforts. Kom emphasized the need to address existing shortcomings and called on the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) to focus on these issues.

"I feel very bad because we could not win any medals (in the Paris Olympics). There was a lot of disappointment because we could not get any medals. I urge the boxers to work harder, and the federation should focus on the shortcomings," she told ANI. In the men's category, Amit Panghal and Nishant Dev competed in the 51kg and 71kg events, respectively. In the women's category, Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) fell short of adding to India's medal tally.

Kom also shared her positive experience at the Army Sports Conclave, a platform aimed at promoting sports. Among the attendees was India men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh, who attributed the team's recent successes to their coach and players. The men's hockey team recently clinched the Asian Champions Trophy and won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, marking consecutive bronze medals in hockey for the first time since the 1972 Munich Games.

(With inputs from agencies.)