Mary Kom, an Olympic medallist and six-time world champion, has called on Indian boxers to direct their efforts towards winning gold medals at major upcoming competitions, such as the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. Speaking during the Fit India Sundays On Cycle event organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, she emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and avoiding overconfidence. Kom advised young athletes to keep their ambitions private and allow their performances in the ring to speak for themselves. She stated, “I just want to tell the youngsters who will represent India that they should keep only one aim of bringing gold for the country.” She cautioned against making bold predictions in interviews that may not materialize, suggesting that they should instead work hard and concentrate on their goals.

Fit India Sundays: A Growing Movement

Fit India Sundays on Cycle, an initiative launched in December 2024 by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, has continued to gain momentum. The initiative boasts over 28 lakh participants nationwide, spanning more than 2.63 lakh locations. Recently, around 700 individuals took part in a cycling event held at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Swimming Complex in New Delhi. This movement aims to promote fitness among citizens and encourage regular physical activity.

Mary Kom’s Journey in Women’s Boxing

Mary Kom has made significant contributions to women’s boxing in India, having secured a historic bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. She became only the second Indian woman to achieve this milestone, following Karnam Malleswari. Additionally, Kom has clinched gold medals at both the Asian Games in 2014 and the Commonwealth Games in 2018. Reflecting on the past, she noted the considerable changes in the sport over the years. Kom highlighted various initiatives, including the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and Khelo India, which have improved support and infrastructure for athletes, facilitating their development.

Significance of Khelo India Tribal Games

Mary Kom has expressed her support for the ongoing Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Chhattisgarh, viewing it as a crucial opportunity to identify talent from rural and tribal areas across the country. As a member of the Kom tribe from Manipur, she believes these games can help uncover gifted athletes who might otherwise remain under the radar. She remarked that the competition provides a platform for aspiring athletes, who may not be aware of sporting opportunities, to enter the national sporting ecosystem. Kom stated that promising participants could be integrated into overarching training systems supported by the Sports Authority of India, including Khelo India Centres and National Centres of Excellence.

Highlighting Talent from Tribal Communities

Discussing the potential within tribal communities, Kom noted their resilience and natural athleticism due to tough living conditions. She emphasized that combining talent with adequate support could quickly translate into medals for the nation. Furthermore, she commended the expansion of opportunities for athletes from rural and tribal backgrounds, expressing gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya for their efforts in this regard.

Community Engagement and Fitness

During the Fit India Sundays event, national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand served as the chief guest, highlighting the significance of integrating sports into daily life. Gopichand addressed the attendees, underscoring that physical activity is essential for building long-term strength and discipline. He encouraged students to make sports a consistent aspect of their lives and recognized the efforts of IIT Hyderabad in promoting fitness through various initiatives. The Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative, involving collaboration with multiple organizations, aims to create a culture of fitness across all states and union territories in India.

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