IABF goes hi-tech

NEW DELHI, June 23: Indian boxing entered a high-tech era today with the Indian Olympic Association IOA chief Suresh Kalmadi inaugurating a computerised data bank to ensure systematic development of the country8217;s pugilists.Housed at the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation IABF office at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here, the data bank will help the association keep track of the performance and development of the established as well as promising boxers besides providing a detailed history of Indian boxing, IABF president AK Mattoo told PTI.

The data bank will maintain a dossier on any boxer who shows promise in the sub-junior level and will record his gradual development over the years, marking his high and low points, that will guide the IABF in planning his training and identify the aspects that need attention if the youngster fails to realise his potential, Mattoo added.

Expressing his deep gratitude to the Bengal Boxing Federation for financial help in installing the data bank, he said the IABF would urge its 32 state units to introduce similar data bank at local level to keep tab of up and coming boxers at the grassroot level.

IABF vice-president Ashok Gangopadhyay said the data bank will maintain a comprehensive account of Indian boxers8217; achievements in international and national meets besides their biodata.