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Akokla Tzudi (middle row; standing second from right) along with the boxers’ and coaches pose for a photo at the 13th International Silesian Women’s Boxing Championship event in Poland.[/caption]
Dimapur, Sep. 17: Akokla Tzudi, a Naga female boxing coach represented India at the 13th International Silesian Women’s Boxing Championship (ISWBC; junior). The event was conducted at Gliwice in Poland from August 9 till the 15th.
The Boxing Federation of India sent 13 boxers and four coaches, including Tzudi, to participate in the championship. The team secured the first position after defeating the host, Poland, winning six gold medals, six silver medals, and one bronze medal. This was stated in an update received through a press release from the Nagaland Amateur Boxing Association (NABA) on Mon. Sep. 17.
In May 2016, Tzudi became the ‘first star national boxing coach’ from Nagaland to be part of the International Boxing Association, originally known as’ Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur’ (AIBA), based in Switzerland.
While speaking to Eastern Mirror on Monday, Tzudi said that the contenders for ISWBC are selected during national championship. Further, the selected fighters undergo a one month training camp in India whereby the ‘number one’ player gets the privilege for the international tour.
Talking about her experience in the international event to this report, Tzudi exclaimed that the young contenders in Poland were well trained and all set at a very young age.
“In our state, Nagaland, the parents hardly knows about sports and they show no interest in motivating their children in sports at a young age. Instead, they let them focus on their studies,” she sighed while adding that ‘studies are important, yet youngsters in Poland are keener towards sports at a very young age. They are well trained-up to achieve their goals.’
“I wish that our state has the same interest in bringing up their kids into sports,” she said.
Tzudi asserted by saying, “It is not only boxing but there are lots of sports which can bring a brighter future. If parents could show an interest in sports and let their children take part, someday or the other, they will be able to see their kids taking part in an international level, bringing laurel not only for the country but to our state and their community.”
Tzudi is currently working as a police and a boxing coach for the Director General of Police sports team in Chumukedima.
Meanwhile, the NABA congratulated Akokla Tzudi for getting empanelled as AIBA 1-star national boxing coach.
