Boxing
Guwahati to host 2nd REC Open Talent Hunt boxing competition
Over 600 boxers are expected to participate, with the top 16 boxers being awarded scholarships apart from direct entry into the National Camps.
The second edition of the REC Open Talent Hunt programme was held in Guwahati. (FILE PHOTO: BFI)
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) will conduct the second REC Open Talent Hunt Competition for Youth and Elite men and women at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Paltan Bazaar stadium in Guwahati from September 15 to 21.
The competition, which BFI organises in association with SAI, is sponsored by REC Limited. It serves as a platform for aspiring boxers to showcase their skills.
Around 600 boxers in 12 weight categories each for elite men and women and 10 weight categories each for young men and women will look to dazzle.
Based on their performances, 96 boxers from both Elite men and women and 80 boxers from Youth men and women categories will be eligible to participate in the Combined National Level Talent Programme.
The gold and silver medallists from each weight category will be awarded scholarships apart from a direct entry into the National Camps starting this edition.
“Boxing Federation of India and REC have been taking numerous initiatives to identify and nurture budding boxers as part of our commitment towards increasing the talent pool and the growth of Indian boxing. The REC Open Talent Hunt program is designed to sport in every corner of India and hence is open to budding boxers from across the country. It also provides a fantastic opportunity for boxers from North East to make a mark in their own backyard and take a shot at taking their journey towards national and international glory,” said Hemanta Kumar Kalita, Secretary General, Boxing Federation of India.
The first tournament of the second edition of the REC Open Talent Hunt was held in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, last month with 2820 boxers across sub-junior, junior, youth and elite men and women categories showcasing their skills.
The first edition of the REC Open Talent Hunt was held last year from September 2023 to April 2024 in Rohtak, Pune, Bengaluru and Guwahati followed by the Combined National Talent Hunt in Rohtak.
Over 6000 boxers in various weight and age categories participated and showcased their skills in front of national coaches and selectors.
Over 1000 boxers participated in the Youth and Elite categories during the Guwahati leg of the 1st REC Open Talent Hunt competition while 38 pugilists from Assam bagged medals, including 9 gold.
