Jagdish promises to give many more Vijenders to country

New Delhi, Aug 29 (UNI) Crediting his wards who shot to glory at the Beijing Games, Dronacharya awardee boxing coach Jagdish Singh has promised to produce boxers capable of bagging medals at the Olympics in future as well.

Talking to mediapersons here after receiving the prestigious Dronacharya Award for the year 2007, Jagdish said, ''The credit for this award goes to my wards for all their hard work.'' Boxers Vijender Kumar, Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar made an astonishing effort at the recently concluded Beijing Olympics, with Vijender bagging the bronze medal at the Games.

''Their hard work and their exceptional showing in the international events has brought me here. My opponents, who have always created challenges before me, are also responsible for this award.

''It is because of these challenges that I am standing here.

Challenges motivate me to work harder and further,'' Jagdish said.

Jagdish, who runs a boxing center in Bhiwani, said he is flooded with revuests from people who want to enroll in his center after Vijender, Jitender and Akhil's performance in Beijing.

''In the last few days, more than 50 boxers have enrolled themselves. even though it is very difficult for me to manage such a huge number of boxers considering the facilities that I have, still I'll give my 100 per cent to them,'' he added.

Jagdish was allegedly accused in a murder case and there was too much of hue and cry over his selection for the Dronacharya Award.

But the Haryana based coach justified his selection and said, ''Some selfish people in Bhiwani, who were jealous of me and my wards, dragged me in to the whole controversy which was completely baseless,'' and added, ''Even Police was convinced about my innocence and I was left free.'' UNI RAR AB RAI2208