It will boost our confidence if India get to host boxing Olympic qualifiers: Simranjit

Former World Championships bronze medallist Simranjit Kaur on Friday said besides home advantage it will act as a confidence booster for local boxers if India get to host the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, which has been cancelled in the Chinese city of Wuhan following the outbreak of coronavirus.

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has offered to host next month's Olympic Qualifiers after it was taken away from the Chinese city of Wuhan due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

The qualifiers are scheduled to be held from February 3 to 15, but it has now become uncertain following the virus outbreak which has claimed 17 lives and infected more than 550 people.

"It would be a good if it happens in India. It will boost our confidence as we train here and with crowd rooting for us, it will be home advantage. So mentally we would be more confident as we will be playing at home," the 24-year-old from Punjab told PTI on the sidelines of a program celebrating 'National Girl Child Day'.

Asked if the postponement will affect their preparation, Simranjit said: "Our training had sped up in the last few days but now with this postponement, we can take a little more time. We now have a month more to prepare for the qualifiers, so it is good."
"I will go step by step. I am not thinking much about the Tokyo Games as first I have to qualify."