The Indian boxers for Beijing might well be the dark horse within the contingent and could bag some well deserved glory.

By Rajarshi Gupta 

Indian boxer Dinesh Kumar, speaking exclusively to espnstar.com said the boxers are ready like never before: "We trained in Germany for a month. That was something that I cherished. The kind of infrastructure and the facilities that we got there helped us immensely and we hope all that pays off in Beijing."

The tall, strapping boxer, extremely soft spoken and taken up by the hoopla of the media and IOA officials for the send off ceremony of the Indian contingent said physical speed was something he had worked very hard on.

"I have worked hard on my physical speed. It is necessary to get your reflexes absolutely spot on. I have been training hard in Patiala."

Dinesh opines though his group is well prepared this time, the competition would be exceptionally tough from all quarters: "Look, I think we will face some stiff challenge from some of the Asian countries. They could be dangerous and their speed is so deceptive."

"The Europeans are obviously bred on superb training and they are going to be more than a handful. But we are well prepared too. God willing, we will make India proud."

Akhil, another Indian boxer and perhaps the most promising of the lot played down the injury he has been carrying on his right hand.

"No, I have completely recovered. It was a minor injury. Nothing to get too worried about. I am fine."

Akhil echoed Dinesh's views that the boxers are well prepared and now ready for the show: "See, the preparation has been good. Now we are just hoping for good results."

Funnily enough, the balded boxer was surprised to hear that the boxers are also being looked as favourites within the Indian contingent to win medals.

"Really? I did not know that," Akhil quipped. "I thought all the talk centered around the tennis players, shooters and archers."

While that might have been a tongue in cheek comment or sheer humility, Akhil is not the one to be bogged down by expectations.

"If people are expecting me to do well, that is definitely a nice feeling. I don't see the pressure here."

"I agree there would be a lot of tough competion in Beijing but frankly I never watch my opponents. I would, for instance, never go to watch a live match and try and see what kind of opponents I might have to face."

"I leave that to my assistants and they come back and give me feedbacks. Then there are video recordings to help."

Are the boxers not upset that Heath Matthew, a trainer who is seen in very high regards by the fraternity not accompanying them to the Games?

"Well I don't want to comment on this. It is up to the Federation and the IOA to look into this. Let's not get into this."

"Overall, I am happy with the support staff. We will have the services of V.I. Fernandes. The bottom line is, we are well prepared."

While it is understandable, players and atheletes do not want to get into controversies over trainers accompanying them, it is high time the IOA actually start sending officials who would make a difference to India's medals tally instead of appeasing petty political means.

However, as of now the focus is all on Bejing. India's boxers might well pack in a punch. These are exciting times for Indian sports. The countdown has begun.