I'm looking forward to bag another medal at Rio Olympics, I’m not turning pro: MC Mary Kom
Kolkata: Olympics bronze-medallist pugilist Vijender Singh might have turned professional but Indian woman boxing icon MC Mary Kom on Sunday said she's not turning pro and would concentrate on her academy post retirement after Rio Olympics 2016.
"As for me, I'm not turning pro. I've already announced that this (Rio 2016) would be my last Olympics and I would call it quits after this," the Olympic bronze medallist told reporters here.
The 32-year-old Mary Kom said she would focus on winning another medal for India before calling it quits in 2016. "I'm looking forward to bag another medal and do the country proud. My preparation is going on very well for the Rio Olympics. After Olympics, my focus is on training kids back home and I'll concentrate on my academy. I want India to win more medals in boxing and that's why my target is to train youngsters in my academy. I want to share my experience with them," the Manipuri boxer added.
Read: Boxer Vijender Singh in trouble, Haryana police warns him of action
On Vijeder's decision, she said: "It would be better if you ask him (about turning pro). I don't want to comment on that. It's his personal choice. As for me, this is my last Olympics. At the same time I'm also a mother and I want to give time to my family. I want to do social work. I don't want to turn pro."
Mary Kom, on whom a biopic has been made in Bollywood, asked the government to start a self-defence course for women in schools and colleges in the wake of violence against them.
"I'm deeply disturbed by the violence and atrocities committed against women all over the country. Over the last few years, there has been a significant rise in violence and atrocities on women. It's very disturbing to hear all these things when I'm in practice," she pointed out.
Read: ‘Let’s stop killing each other,’ says Mary Kom
"The schools and the universities, especially those under the government, must start self defence courses like boxing, karate to empower women," she said.
The Olympic-medallist boxer was here in the city for a programme organised by a medical and engineering coaching institute. The event, organised to felicitate the successful students of the institute, was marred by chaos as a section of media boycotted the annual programme, alleging high-handedness and ill-treatment by the organisers.
