Olympian Boxer Manoj Kumar contemplates political journey, eyes Karnal parliamentary seat

Two-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist boxer, Manoj Kumar, is contemplating a foray into politics, setting his sights on the Karnal parliamentary seat. Hailing from the village of Rajond, Manoj is a well-known figure in Haryana, particularly in the Karnal-Kurukshetra belt, where his sports achievements and community background have garnered him significant recognition.

As an Arjuna awardee boxer, Manoj has not only brought glory to his community but has also been actively involved in nurturing young talent through the 'Manoj Kumar Boxing Academy', established by his family under his mentorship. Over the years, this academy has produced numerous national and international medalists from the Karnal-Kurukshetra belt, reflecting Manoj's commitment to uplifting the region's youth.

Belonging to the Ror community, Manoj holds a special place as the first Olympian boxer from his community, symbolising hope and inspiration for the youth hailing from humble backgrounds.

Manoj sees politics as another avenue to give back to society, leveraging his experience and platform to address the needs of the people.

Earlier, many sports personalities from the state have entered the political arena, with hockey Olympian Sandeep Singh winning a state assembly seat in 2019 and Olympian discus thrower Krishna Poonia becoming an MLA in Rajasthan in the previous assembly elections.

The Karnal parliamentary seat, comprising 170 villages predominantly populated by the Ror community, presents a favorable demographic for Manoj Kumar's political aspirations. With approximately 2.7 lakh votes of Ror community, the caste arithmetic further strengthens his prospects, potentially making him a formidable candidate if fielded by a political party.

"I come from a humble background, and boxing has given me everything. Now, it's my turn to give back to society. Politics provides a strong platform for service, and I am ready to serve the people in whichever way I can," said Manoj Kumar.

As Manoj contemplates his political journey, his background as a celebrated athlete and his commitment to community development position him as a promising candidate to represent the aspirations of the people of Karnal.