Mary Kom Motivates Young Boxers to Aim for Gold in Upcoming Competitions

Mary Kom's Call to Action for Indian Boxers

In New Delhi, Olympic medalist and six-time world champion Mary Kom has encouraged Indian boxers to maintain their focus and avoid becoming overconfident as they gear up for upcoming continental events. She emphasized that their primary objective should be to secure gold medals for India at prestigious competitions like the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

During the Fit India Sundays On Cycle event organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), Mary, a recipient of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Padma Vibhushan awards, advised young athletes to keep their aspirations private and let their performances speak for themselves.

Mary stated, "I want to remind the young athletes representing India to focus solely on bringing home gold for the nation."

She cautioned, "In their excitement, athletes often declare in interviews that they will win gold at the Asian Games or Commonwealth Games. However, if they fall short, it can be disappointing. So, keep that goal close to your heart, work diligently, and give your best effort."

Launched in December 2024 by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, the Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative has evolved into a significant movement, engaging over 28 lakh citizens across more than 2.63 lakh locations nationwide. The recent cycling event at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Swimming Complex in the National Capital saw participation from over 700 individuals.

Mary Kom made history by winning a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming only the second Indian woman, after Karnam Malleswari, to achieve this feat. She also claimed gold medals at the Asian Games in 2014 and the Commonwealth Games in 2018. Reflecting on the progress of women's boxing in India, she noted the substantial changes since her early career, thanks to government initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which offers financial support, coaching, and world-class training to elite athletes, as well as Khelo India, which nurtures grassroots talent.

Mary remarked, "In my time, we lacked many facilities and support in sports. The little assistance we received from the state, central government, and federation was hard-earned. Now, the landscape has transformed significantly. Today's athletes benefit from improved infrastructure and programs."

She believes these initiatives have fostered an environment where young athletes can advance more rapidly and achieve greater success on the global stage.

Mary also praised the ongoing Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Chhattisgarh, calling it a vital platform for identifying talent from remote and tribal areas across the country.

As a member of the Kom tribe from Manipur, she expressed that the event will help integrate many talented athletes into the national sports framework. She added that promising participants could eventually be included in training programs managed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), including Khelo India Centres (KICs) and National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), where they can receive top-notch coaching.

Mary stated, "There is immense talent within tribal communities. Many come from isolated regions and may not even be aware of the opportunities in sports."

She continued, "With the Khelo India Tribal Games taking place at a national level, athletes from various states are gaining exposure. I extend my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya for broadening opportunities for athletes from rural and tribal backgrounds."

Mary highlighted the hardworking nature of tribal individuals, stating, "They grow up in challenging environments and possess remarkable natural strength and endurance. If talent and hard work are paired with the right support, medals will follow swiftly for the country."

In Hyderabad, national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand served as the chief guest at the Sunday cycling event, which attracted over 1000 participants.

Hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Cycling Club, the event transformed the campus into a vibrant fitness hub early Sunday morning, featuring 10 km and 20 km cycling routes, along with warm-up sessions, Zumba, and community engagement activities. This initiative aligns with the Fit India Movement's goal of promoting daily fitness through simple, sustainable practices like cycling.

During his address, Pullela Gopichand stressed the significance of incorporating sports into daily routines, asserting that physical activity fosters long-term strength and discipline. He encouraged students to make sports a regular part of their lives and commended IIT Hyderabad for consistently fostering a culture of fitness through initiatives such as half-marathons and cycling events.

Fit India Sundays on Cycle is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) in partnership with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Indian Rope Skipping Federation, Yogasana Bharat, Raahgiri Foundation, MY Bikes, and MY Bharat. The cycling initiative is conducted simultaneously across all States and Union Territories, including SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), SAI Training Centres (STCs), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs), and Khelo India Centres (KICs).