Boxing
One of the Sports promoted by HEED India, Boxing has gained tremendous popularity amongst the beneficiaries. With the pandemic, all sport activities had to shift into a 'contactless' mode, making 'Shadow Boxing' the alternative choice.
Author: Heed India | Date: 2021-07-01
1. Shadow Boxing
When every sport world-over had to shift into a ‘contactless’ mode, we at HEED India decided to promote ‘shadow-boxing’ as a championship in association with MCGM & MCBA. Mimicking the real thing, but contact-free, ‘shadow-boxing’ became part of the new normal. With no opportunities to step into the ‘ring’, the children training in boxing were issued a challenge to showcase their skills, their movements, from their own private spaces. This activity was open to every boxer, from across the country. With over 1300 participants ranging from 3 to 84 years, the championship even attracted international participants. Buddy Dsouza (first Arjuna awardee boxer) participated, while an 84 year-old pugilist
frontline pandemic fighting doctors also take part, along side professional athletes.
2. Heed India Boxing Cup
To give the students training at HEED India an opportunity to participate in competitive sports, the HEED India Cup was instituted. HEED India’s association with MCGM and MCBA led to choosing boxing as the tournament sport. Our very first in-house tournament, every participant walked the red carpet in style, and there was a huge gush of enthusiasm amongst not only the children, but also the coaches. All the participants were under 15 years of age. A Sub Junior Level Boxing Championship, the HEED India Boxing Cup was conducted in the Round Robin Method, wherein each child gets at least 2 or 3 bouts. Based on these results they move into the Knockout phase. Starting with Selection Trial Tournaments across districts, Mumbai was split into different Zones (Mumbai City, Suburb and DSO winners and 4 districts, Jalgaon, Dhule, Raigad, Akola, Pune, Satara, Latur). The first of its kind, the championship was a 3-day event, welcoming 43 boys and 30 girls as participants. All expenses covering travel, stay and food were borne by HEED India, rarely seen in other tournaments. A memento (T-shirt) along with a certificate of participation was given to every child, while medals and trophies were distributed to the winners under various categories like Best Boxer, Most Promising Boxer, Best Challenging Boxer. Encouraging feedback and testimonials from the children and coaches, is driving HEED India to plan more such tournaments in the future.