Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 27: Noticing the growing concern among support staff about head injuries to boxers, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) is mulling on bringing back the headgears for the male amateur boxers, it was disclosed by Dr Karanjeet Singh, a Sports Medicine Specialist, serving the boxing since last two decades.
Dr Karanjeet Singh, the son of soil who recently represented the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) in Inter-continental Medical Commission’s meeting of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) in Lausanne told Excelsior that bringing back headgears for boxers would be a wise decision which was earlier barred by AIBA during the boxing competition.
He disclosed that the agenda of the meeting was to find medical reasons to reinstate headgear and reduce concussion and cut on face. “Since the headgear was banned by AIBA for male boxers, the numbers of injuries on the head and face of the boxers have increased tremendously,” he said.
“We presented some facts which we have noted in India during the meeting recently organised by Asian Boxing Confederation. For example, in the boxing league there were 15 percent injuries in close to 100 bouts (for men) while there was no injury in the National camp, where we had conducted nearly 500 bouts in 31 sparring sessions from November 15 to March 18, in Patiala because of protective gears,” Dr Singh said.
The use of headgear is compulsory during training and trials. Even the professional boxers wear headgears during training. While on other hand, without the headgears the incidents of head-butting have increased. It inflicts serious injuries on boxers.
Dr Singh further disclosed that a Himachal Pradesh’ sports medicine specialist who has been associated with boxing for the last two decades, gave favourable opinions about the return of headgears for amateur male boxers during the meeting.
Coming to injury management during lockdown, especially during the summer season, Dr Singh said, “It is important to stay hydrated and avoid muscular cramps and spasms. The boxers should follow the coaches’ advice and train accordingly while staying safe at home. They need to be careful as prevention of injury in combat sports is always better.”
Follow our WhatsApp channel