Nikhat Zareen on Thursday said the last two weeks had been “torture” for boxers, who were affected by the dispute between the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).SAI had objected to BFI’s assessment-based selection process after receiving complaints from several boxers. The assessment camp for selecting squads for this year’s Commonwealth Games and Asian Games was later suspended midway, forcing the federation to return to the trial-based selection system.The situation left the boxers dealing with repeated changes in schedules and training plans.“The last two weeks was like torture for us boxers. I don’t want to blame any one person or body. But the athletes got crushed between the issue between those two (SAI and BFI),” Nikhat told news agency PTI on the sidelines of the trials on Thursday.The national camp was originally scheduled to begin on April 25, but delays and postponements followed. Nikhat said the uncertainty made it difficult for athletes, especially those trying to maintain their weight for assessment.“We were told the camp will start from 25th April but then the (SAI) sanction didn’t come. Then they said once the camp starts on April 29 the assessment system will also start.”“They told us that if you are missing training or modifying it points would be deducted. We also had to adhere to weight targets. First five per cent bodyweight than four than two and then one they kept taking weight till May 10.”“Then sparring session was to start on May 11. Then that also got postponed and then on May 13 the trials began,” Nikhat said.Under the revised format, bouts are now being judged by the head coach and four judges, with winners announced immediately after the contests.The earlier system, which included points for fitness, attendance and sparring, has been removed.“We were given a plan and we all were following it. We had physical test, beep test, strength test and everyone gave their best. In the end, we were told that whatever tests we took, the points given won’t be counted.“As a boxer we were focussed and training, we were stressing over missing training as it would lead to point deduction. Keeping that in mind, we even trained through niggles. And in the end we were told it won’t count. So that was very disappointing.”Nikhat later lost 1-4 to Sakshi Chaudhary in the 51kg semifinals of the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games selection trials.The defeat means the Telangana boxer currently has no international tournament lined up, as the BFI plans to send only the top two ranked players for competitions.“I am mentally and physically drained I haven’t been able to spend time at home properly. Since January 2025, I haven’t got a break. Now I want to take a break and want to prepare for future tournaments.”The 29-year-old boxer, who has won Commonwealth Games gold and an Asian Games bronze medal, said she is now focusing on next year’s Olympic qualification events.“It was disappointing that I was not able to qualify for the CWG and Asian Games. If I had I would tried to change the colour of my medal (at Asian Games).
