Foreign boxing coaches not needed: Vijender

As the search for a Cuban coach for Indian boxers continues, country's only Olympic medal winner in the sport Vijender Singh on Monday said a foreigner is not needed as home-grown coaches can do the job well enough.

Ever since Cuban B I Fernandes' contract expired, the Indian Boxing Federation has been hunting for a foreign coach, preferably another Cuban, to fill the void.

But Vijender, who returns to the ring in a European Grand Prix event from May 13 to 18 in Czech Republic, says the Indians are doing a good job.

"I don't think we need a foreign coach. Our coaches are good enough. In my opinion, money should be spent on our coaches. If needed, send them abroad to learn the new techniques as they are the ones grooming us," the 23-year-old said in New Delhi.

Vijender also feels the boxers should be sent on training trips to Europe or America instead of Asian countries like Kazakhstan.

"Training in Asia is of no use. We should be going to US or Europe because that is where the conditions are different from India. We will learn to acclimatise to adverse conditions. It is very important," Vijender said.

"Take for instance, the tournament in Czech Republic where I am going now. It's going to be biting cold there but here it is hot and humid," he explained.

Having trained hard in Patiala to get back in shape after being out of action for more than eight months, Vijender quipped that a proof of his devotion to the sport, questioned after a few modelling assignments, is that he missed the all-important voting for Lok Sabha elections to attend the camp.

"I didn't vote because of the Patiala camp. I was very serious about my training. Otherwise, things would have been said about me again," he said.