Boxing for a better life - The story of coach Jagdish Singh

Beijing Olympics bronze medalist Vijender Singh hails from a humble background. His father was a bus driver, and his elder brother Manoj, a former national-level boxer, had to look for an armed forces job in his late teens so that he could support the family. But it was a medal in the quadrennial games that changed Vijender's family's fortunes. Boxing has given him everything, from name and fame to money. 

Like Vijender, there are hundreds of youth in and around Bhiwani who are leading decent lives because of boxing. The sport has secured them government jobs and decent cash incentives for their national and international medals.

Thanks to a coach like Dronacharya awardee Jagdish Singh, the sport has become a life-changer for the youth, the majority of whom come from humble backgrounds.

"Bhiwani district touches the Rajasthan border. You can't depend much on farming, and there are no big industries. So youngsters, especially those from the rural belt of Bhiwani, look to sports as a livelihood, something that will improve their lives," said Jagdish Singh, the founder of Bhiwani Boxing Club (BBC).

The BBC has become a stepping stone to excel in the combat sport and eventually a key to a better life.

"Earlier, it was only boys, but since women's boxing made its debut in the Olympics, girls here too have started pursuing boxing as a career, and many of them have secured jobs under the sports quota," said Jagdish Singh, who was conferred with the Dronacharya award in 2007.

Over hundreds of his trainees are leading better lives because of boxing, and the count is ongoing.