Pregnancy tests is for the safety of the boxers: Mary Kom

Olympic bronze medallist boxer supports SAI, says she herself underwent the same earlier

Update: 2014-11-07 20:18 GMT
Boxer MC Mary Kom came in support of SAI citing pregnancy tests is for the safety of the female pugilists (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Olympic bronze medallist boxer MC Mary Kom on Friday came out in support of the controversial pregnancy tests conducted by Sports Authority of India on World Championships-bound women pugilists, saying that it was good for the safety of the players.

She said that conducting the tests was not a new development as she herself had undergone the same.

"I myself has undergone these tests. I am not involved in these recent tests but in my opinion it is good for the safety of the boxers themselves. Nothing much should be read on these tests," Mary Kom said on the sidelines of a felicitation programme by Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.

"Moreover, these have been done under the guidelines of the AIBA and applied worldwide," she added. Eight women boxers, who are set to compete at the World

Championships in Korea next week, were subjected to pregnancy tests by SAI under the new requirements of AIBA though the move was criticised by experts.

The invite sent to Boxing India by the AIBA to take part in the World Championships at Jeju Islands, South Korea, specifically sought a non-pregnancy form to be issued for the women boxers by a doctor.

The five-time world champion said that in the last few years, these pregnancy tests were not made mandatory for all international events and sometimes only a declaration by the boxers were enough in some cases.

"In the last two-three years, some international tournaments would require pregnancy tests and some would not not. So, a declaration was enough for some events. Now, if the AIBA says it is mandatory, then we should follow it," said Mary Kom.

Asked if pregnancy tests could be a matter of concern for unmarried women, May Kom simply said, "In my opinion it should be okay for them also. These days, women are smart and they know what is going on around."

Thirteen sportspersons from the Northeastern region of the country, who have won medals in the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, were felicitated with cash awards by the DONER Ministry at the North East Festival.

Similar News