Dronacharya awardee CA Kuttappa has been appointed as the head coach of the Indian men’s boxing team for the second time. The Indian Boxing Federation took this decision on the advice of Bernard Dunne, High Performance Director. Kutappa replaces Narendra Rana of the Military Institute of Sports, who became the head coach in October 2021. BFI general secretary Hemanta Kalita said, “The decision was taken on the advice of the new high performance director in the federation’s internal meeting.” He wanted Kuttappa with the team.
Rana had replaced Kuttappa when the BFI went through staff changes following a poor show at the Tokyo Olympics. Kuttappa remained a part of the coaching staff. Now that India has to participate in the Men’s World Championship, Asian Games and Olympics in the next two years, the BFI expects Kuttappa to hold the post till the 2024 Olympics. He is currently at the national camp in Patiala where boxers like Shiva Thapa, Mohd Hussamuddin, Rohit Tokas and Sagar are there.
Kutappa had earlier been the coach from 2018 to 2021 when Amit Panghal won a silver medal at the World Championship. The BFI has selected a second-rate women’s team for the Stranza Memorial tournament as the World Championship is to be held in Delhi just a few days after the tournament. The Stranza Memorial will be held from February 18 to 27 while the Women’s World Championship begins on March 15. Reigning world champion Nikhat Zareen and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain will not play in Stranza.
