Indian boxers head for Cuba to prepare for C`wealth Games

New Delhi: Aiming to improve their endurance level, sharpen skills and become psychologically tougher ahead of the Commonwealth Games, 13 Indian boxers will leave for Cuba tomorrow for a training-cum-competition trip after a gap of more than three years.

Olympic and World Championship bronze medallist Vijender Singh has, however, decided to skip the April 19 to May 8 trip due to a nose injury he picked up during the Commonwealth Championships here last month. With the world number one Indian opting out, the contingent for Cuba does not feature any middle weight (75kg) boxer. Those who would be going to Cuba include Commonwealth Games gold medallist Akhil Kumar (57kg) and Commonwealth Championships gold medallists Suranjoy Singh (51g), Amandeep Singh (48kg), Jai Bhagwan (60kg), Dinesh Kumar (81kg) and Paramjeet Samota (+91kg)."Training in Cuba always helps. It is the toughest tour to endure but a very rewarding one. This is part of our build-up for the Commonwealth Games," said national coach Gurabax Singh Sandhu. "Part of the credit for improvement in our boxing goes to our training trips to Cuba because we trained in a country which is a powerhouse of the sport. But it has been a while since we went there, the last time we trained in Cuba was before the Asian Games in 2006," he added. "On this trip we are trying to get at least two competitions and the usual training that includes sparring with Cubans. 10 to 15 countries are expected to train in Cuba while we are there and more then 20 will come for the competitions." The boxers, most of whom are going to Cuba for the first time, too are looking forward to the tough experience that awaits them. "I am going there for the first time and hopefully I would be able to improve my endurance," said Suranjoy, arguably the most successful Indian boxer in past one year, clinching six gold medals in various international events."It`s a tough trip but then boxing is not an easy sport. There is no gain without pain," added Akhil. India`s Cuban coach Blas Iglesias Fernandes felt the boxers would gain immensely from the trip as facing tougher opponents will help improve their game. "If you want to improve your standard, you have to compete against the best. It improves your confidence," he said. The Indian Boxing Federation is also planning to organize similar training trips to either Russia or Germany after this. PTI