Commonwealth Boxing Championships begin in New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 13 : The fifth Commonwealth Boxing Championships got underway here on Friday.

Inaugurated by Sports Minister MS Gill, the opening ceremony was presided over by Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman of Organising Committee of Commonwealth Games-2010 and Abhay Singh Chautala, President, Indian Boxing Federation.

Indian boxing heroes such as Vijender Singh, Akhil Kumar, Dinesh Kumar, Nanao Singh and Suranjay Singh will be seen in action in front of the home crowd.

"I assure you that if you provide us (the boxers) with better facilities the boxers will give you better results (not) only in these Commonwealth Games but also in the Olympics 2012. The maximum number of medals will be won by the boxers. I hope that you will provide these boxers with maximum facilities and encourage them," said Chautala.

130 boxers from 14 countries including England, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Kenya and Singapore are participating in the championships which conclude on March 17.