Boxers want access to Talkatora a week before C`wealth C`ship

Vijender Singh and other boxers gearing up for Commonwealth Championships want to practice at the renovated Talkatora Stadium at least a week before the event although IBF is expected to get access 2 days before the tournament.

New Delhi: Olympic hero Vijender Singh and other Indian boxers gearing up for next month`s Commonwealth Championships want to practice at the renovated Talkatora Stadium at least a week before the event although the IBF is expected to get access only two days before the tournament.

The Championship finally found a title sponsor in `XXX` energy drink today and as the talk veered towards the actual tournament, the boxers made it clear that getting a feel of the venue was important. The Talkatora Stadium is currently under renovation and though the entire complex may not be ready by next month, the boxing arena and the lounge area are expected to be completed."In my view, we should be here in Delhi at least five-six days before the tournament to get a hang of the conditions and also get familiar with the stadium. In my case, I am quite familiar with it as I have competed there before," world number one middle weight boxer Vijender said on the sidelines of a press conference to announce the sponsor. His views were echoed by Commonwealth Games gold medallist Akhil Kumar, who competes in bantam weight."It takes just five hours to come here and it would be great if the venue is thrown open to us at least week in advance. That`s is what is called home advantage. We should know the arena well in advance," said Akhil, a former gold medallist at Commonwealth Championship. PTI