NEW DELHI, Oct 19: Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday made it clear that the government would not interfere in selection matters but advised the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) to be transparent and resolve the Nikhat Zareen-Mary Kom issue in the best possible manner.
Former junior world champion Nikhat Zareen had written a letter to Rijiju on Thursday, demanding that she should be given a trial bout against Mary Kom before the Indian squad for next year�s Olympic qualifiers in China is decided.
The BFI wants Mary Kom (51kg) to compete in Qualifying event in China after she won her eighth World Championships medal in Russia.
�We have to understand one thing, government can�t dictate the federations or get involved in the process of selection,� Rijiju said on the sidelines of the felicitation programme of the Indian women�s boxing team.
�If there are anomalies and certain things which are not in the interest of sports we make advisory suggestions. Olympic charter is clear that government shouldn�t interfere in the functioning and administration of a federation.
�Everybody has the freedom to seek some sort of redressal to their grievances and as a minister we have to respond positively. So I will advise the federation to be transparent and take a decision which is in the interest of the nation. But we would not get into the details of it.� � PTI
