AIBA boxing C'ship, a source of motivation for volunteering slum kids

As the ongoing International Boxing Association (AIBA) Women's World Boxing Championship is perceived to be a major platform for the women boxers from around the world to prove their abilities, a group of volunteers belonging to slum areas of Delhi are gaining some life motivation from the event.

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) selected a group of 41 children and provided them with the volunteer training. The motive is to develop a positive perspective of life in their minds and filling them with the motivation.

Former Indian boxer Ali Qamar, while talking about these kids, said that their aim behind bringing them to the event is to change their perspective and bring about a change in their lives.

Speaking to ANI, Qamar said, "The endeavour is to change the lives of these kids. Observing things closely will help these kids to have a positive perspective towards life."

The volunteers also seemed delighted over being given the opportunity to see the world class boxers competing at such a big platform.

Jyoti Pant, who belongs to a small slum area in Delhi, is a big fan of Mary Kom and aspires to be a respectful woman like her.

"I am a big fan of Mary Kom. I want to be a respectful person like her. Being here is a big motivation for me. Coming here made me learn that nothing is impossible in life. I see this as a stepping stone for a bright future ahead," Pant said.

Another volunteer, Salman, also felt motivated on being given a volunteering chance by the BFI.

"We are associated with an NGO, which put us in touch with the BFI. Now I have got to know how to move ahead in life. We need to work hard to achieve our goals. Everything is possible. If we are hard working, then we could achieve everything. I learned how to fulfill dreams," Salman said.

Arjuna award winner boxer Rajendra Prasad said that initiatives like this should have started way earlier. "Children are getting exposure; they will get to know about various boxing techniques. It will really help them," he continued.

"If we had started it before, then it would have done well. Children are getting exposure. It is a good thing. They will be helped. They will get to know about various techniques of the matches being played here," Prasad said. "Slum children will definitely benefit from this. Every kid should follow sports, irrespective of the field," he added.