The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has issued a show cause notice to world championships silver medalist Amit Panghal and two others for leaving the national camp without permission, just a day before their flight to China for the Asian Games pre-training camp.
According to the federation, Panghal (51kg), Commonwealth Games silver medalist Sagar Ahlawat (+92kg), and national champion Rohit Mor (57kg), who are on the Asian Games reserve list, left the national camp in NIS Patiala on September 4 without obtaining permission.
When PTI contacted the boxers in China, they either declined to speak or were unavailable.
In addition, all three pugilists are currently involved in a legal battle with the BFI regarding their selection for the Asian Games.
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"On 4th September 2023 three boxers, Sagar 92+ kg, Rohit Mor 57 kg and Amit Panghal 51 kg left the National coaching camp without any prior approval or prior permission of coach/Head Coach/federation," BFI said in a statement.
"This is a gross violation of the regulations followed by the BFI. In addition, this was a very critical time when boxers cannot be missing and have to keep the federation informed about their whereabouts due to regulations by NADA/WADA since all three of them are reserve athletes for the upcoming Asian Games."
The national federation has demanded an explanation from the trio for their "indisciplined behaviour."
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"The federation has taken a serious view of this gross violation and poor discipline exhibited by these three boxers. As per the procedures, all three were issued show cause on 6th September 2023 to explain why they took this action of indiscipline and violated the athlete code of conduct."
Panghal, Ahlawat, and Mor filed a High Court petition against BFI after being dropped out of the Indian squad for the Asian Games, which will be held in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8.
(With PTI inputs)
