 HARD WORK DOESNT PAY: Girish Pawar Its been seven years since a boxer has won the Shiv Chhatrapati Award. And the only deserving candidate has been denied the honour for second year in succession.
Maharashtra Amateur Boxing Associations (MABA) choice for the coveted state honour - nine-time state champion Girish Pawar - was rejected on the reasoning that Western India Boxing Championship does not stand as a state tournament, thereby raising doubts over its past winners, including the likes of Jaywant More and Manoj Pingle.
Pawar exceeded the 125-point mark set by the state government to qualify for the decoration.
I dont understand the reason. The given reason - that the Western India Championship doesnt count - surprises me. The state governments explanation stands to nullify the earlier winners.
There were no loopholes from MABAs side in paperwork. We provided every document demanded by them, Joy Kowli, the associations secretary, said.
Whenever I called Himalayan - the deputy director with the directorate of sports and youth affairs - he refused to attend to my calls.
The jobless Pawar is now looking for inspiration. Award is nothing, and award is also everything. If one has no job, he has to look around for inspiration.
And for me right now, the award would have pushed me forward, said Pawar, who was a silver-medallist at the Punjab National Games two years ago.
The 23-year-old boxer from Pune has represented India in two international bouts in Bali (Indonesia) and Baku (Azerbaijan).
Originally an orthodox pugilist, Pawar turned a southpaw after he found the style has more advantages.
His boxing journey began at the age of 13 under coach Bharatkumar Whaval.
I found him impressive the moment I saw him during a demo session at his school. Pawar did not disappoint me and won the sub-junior state title that very year, Whaval recalls.
Even though the awardees have been nominated in various sports, the case has been put up before cabinet sports minister Amrishbhai Patel for reconsideration.
We hope to get things sorted out. The ball now lies in Mr Patels court, said an optimistic Kowli.
With no state boxer as deserving as Pawar for the coveted award, the state could simply help the sport by rewarding the most deserving.
| 
