Olympic bronze medallist and five-time world champion MC Mary Kom has just resigned from the post of the national observer for Indian boxing. The shocking move comes after Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore announced that sportspersons who are active in games will not be considered for the position.
"I resigned as national observer 10 days ago after having a word with Mr Rathore. I had been requested to take up the position, it was not something I had asked for," Mary Kom told PTI on Friday (Dec 1).
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Kom just clinched her fifth Asian Championships gold medal last week.
"I had inquired about the rule on not having active athletes as observers with the then Sports Secretary Injeti Srinivas when it was offered to me," she explained. The boxer also pointed out that since she is an active national athlete, her appointment could create a conflict of interest in the fraternity.
"But at that time, I was told that I should nonetheless accept the position. I did so on insistence of the Ministry and I don't want unnecessary controversies about something that I had not asked for."
“Magnificent Mary” was among 12 national observers appointed by the then Sports Minister Vijay Goel in March.
The list also consists of Olympic gold-medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra, double Olympic-medallist Sushil Kumar and former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Akhil Kumar. Sushil and Mary Kom are the ones who are still active in their respective sports.
"I was never interested in this but accepted the position because I had been requested. I have my hands full with a lot of things. I am happy to let it go and have no complaints," said Mary Kom
The Rajya Sabha MP is also in contention for the Commonwealth and Asian Games next year.
The 35-year-old had not qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics, but the recently-concluded tournament is a reminder that there’s still fire in her belly. She added another feather in her cap, once again proving what it is to be the best in the industry.
Also Read: Don’t let the bronze change the colour of your heart: Mary Kom to Sakshi Malik
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