Olympic bronze medallist MC Mary Kom on Thursday broke down and accused the Indian selectors of regional bias during boxing selection and trails.
“Sometimes I feel very upset. Some of the referees and judges do not favour <g data-gr-id="22">me</g> but I don’t mind. Okay I am from <g data-gr-id="21">north-east</g>, no problem, but I am still an Indian,” Mary Kom told reporters here.
The 32-year-old boxer alleged that Haryana’s Pinky Jangra, who competes in the same weight category as her, is being repeatedly favoured by the selectors despite being beaten by the five-time world champion from Manipur.
“There are so many controversies. Pinky Jangra, I always defeat her and prove it to get a gold medal in every <g data-gr-id="29">competition</g> but they (boxing selectors) continue to support her,” she said.
Mary Kom, however, insisted she had taken it in her stride.
“It is still okay. I will prove myself in the ring,” she said. The London Olympics medallist was dropped from the Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and <g data-gr-id="27" data-style="color: #3b3b3b; font-size: 11px;">Jangra</g> was chosen in her place. Pinky had beaten Mary in the trail of <g data-gr-id="24" data-style="color: #3b3b3b; font-size: 11px;">51kg</g> category before the Commonwealth <g data-gr-id="25" data-style="color: #3b3b3b; font-size: 11px;">Games</g> but the Manipuri boxer claimed it was poorly judged.