Indian boxers in top form, will win medals in Doha:Coach

Patiala, Nov 12 (UNI) Indian pugilists, presently training at the NIS here for participation in Doha Asian Games beginning December one, are in top form and would definetely return home with two or three medals, according to boxing coach I Fernandez.

''The confidence level of all the ten Doha-bound boxers is very high,'' Cuban boxing coach Fernandez told UNI here.

All the ten boxers ---Sanjay Kolte, Jitendra Kumar, Akhil Kumar, Diwakar Prasad, Jai Bhagwan, Manoj, Dilbagh Singh, Vijendra, Harpreet Singh, V Johnson ---were in Cuba from October 16 to 30, along with coaches Fernandez and Jaidev Bisht, for combined training-cum-competition.

All the boxers fought and trained with top boxers from Cuba, Venezuala and Brazil during their training in Cuba, Mr Fernandez said.

Asked to comment on India's medal chances in Doha Asiad, Fernandez said, ''In the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games, India won one gold (through Dingko Singh) and a bronze medal. But in Busan Asiad 2002, India failed to win a single medal which was deploring. In Doha, I expect Indian boxers to win at least two or three medals.'' According to Mr Fernandez, the ongoing training in the camp is strictly geared to tactics, speed and managing different situations during a bout.

The boxers will leave Patiala for Delhi on November 25 and shall fly to Doha on November 27. The boxing event in Doha will be held from December 2 to 14.

UNI XC-HS SAM BD1135