Beard, So Can't Box, Pushpinder Won't

[vikramjitsingh]

On the front page on Hindustan Times of the day there is an article captioned as per the subject.

Ruled out. Patiala pugilist , a devout Sikh , not ready to shorn hair.

Going by the IABA rules, representing India will always remain a dream for Junior National Champion Pushpinder Singh.

A boxer in an international meet, as per the rules, has to be clean shaven on grounds that contact with an opponents facial hair could lead to an injury.

But, the Patiala pugilist , a devout Sikh, says he is not ready to cut his beard at any cost and is ready to let the opportunity slip out of his hand.

Pushpinder recently won gold in the 91+ weight category in the Junior National Championship held at Nagpur and is among the probables for the Youth Commonwealth Games to be held in India later this year.

"In India we have never had any problem in competing even while sporting beard but according to IABA rules , no one with a beard is allowed to take part in any international boxing competition. I want IABA to amend its rules for Sikhs'" says Pushpinder.

He says the Nagpur meet organizers did tell him about the IABA rules but allowed him to participate in the Nationals nevertheless.

Coach Harpreet Singh says the National Boxing Association always allows Sikh boxers to compete while sporting beards. "But we want that the IABA should also allow us , otherwise representing the Country will remain a dream for many Sikh boxers."

SAD Leader Harmail Singh Tohra, who is related to the Boxer , had demanded an amendment to this rule. He says this issue would be brought to the notice of the PM and Sports Minister.

I don't think this rule is right as I've boxed in school and the opponent getting injured by the beard is ludicrous.

What about boxers who have a very heavy growth of body hair? Viewing the area isn't the chance of injury much more?

Why not allow Sikh boxers with 'jaalis' on their beards?

I've written to Sikh Coalition to ask themfor their aid.

[buddasingh]

Anyone have contact information for Pardeep Singh Nagra that can be passed to the poster above? Of course do not post private contact info here. Instead where does he work, contact info?

[mann_kaum_layee_qurbaan]

respect.

[jassa]

i know him he studied in my college and was one year junior ... but i cant understand one thing as far as i know he trims ... whats the difference in keeping trimmed beard and not clean shaven !!!

[jassa]

may be wrong about current situation ... but in college days he trimmed for sure