Pugilists train in high altitude to adapt to rough climatic conditions

Forty eight pugilists from Madhya Pradesh undertook training in an 18-day high altitude boxing camp in Shimla to get acclimatized to low weather conditions and increase their stamina.

The camp started on September 22 and will conclude on October 9.

"The Madhya Pradesh state government boxing academy have organised high altitude boxing camp in Shimla. The camp is for 18 days in which we have 48 players and two coaches," said boxing coach, Roshan Lal, on Monday.

He also said that the camp will make them stronger and increase their level of play.

Out of the total of 48 boxers, eight are international level players and 15 are national champions.

"The camp is very important as the weather conditions of Madhya Pradesh and Shimla are very different. The temperature in Shimla is low as compared to Madhya Pradesh. It is difficult for us to breathe here as we are accustomed to Madhya Pradesh weather. Training here will increase our stamina and will be easy for us to train back in Bhopal," said a woman boxer, Kamla Roka.

The coach added that such high altitude camps help players in improving their game and should be made mandatory for everyone.

Seven girls from the camp will leave for the senior national champion to be held in Chhattisgarh.