Introduction of a community-focused modified boxing program in Uttarakhand,

IndiaBy a consortium of Australian of and Indian

organisations consisting of:

Modified Boxing

Why?

Internationally, boxing is popular(196 national federations – almost as many

as soccer)

Boxing is a great fitness activity(and is available even in dense cities)

However, the sport has raised many concerns

Medical Average of ~10

deathsper year plus risk

of sub-lethal brain injuries

LegalWhy should boxing be

exempt from laws defining criminal

assault?

SocialGlorification and

rewarding of violence

Ethical‘Intent to

harm’ opponent

What if injury risk could be greatly reduced and any question of ‘intent to harm’ totally

removed?

Initial findings

• 10-fold increase in participation (compared to conventional boxing program)

• Strong appeal to females and families

• Wide age range

Later findings

Athletes valued:

• Strong focus on safety

• Belonging to a special community

• Improved self-image

• Positive coach/athlete relationships

• Use of games for skill development

• Purposeful training

Areas of increased focus

Safety

Performance

Games

Glove testing at University of Canberra

ModBox in India

The story so far

Tanjun and SEDA (India) Project Coordinators were appointed

Anshuk Gupta Sonal Kapoor

Following the press conference, the launch of ModBox was reported in 17 newspapers and also covered by several TV stations

I Next Rashtriya Sahara

Himachal Times The TribuneGarhwal Post

Jan Bharat Mail

Doon Valley Mail

6-day intensive course for training of Modified Boxing Community Coaches

Graduation - the World’s first formally accredited ModBox Community Coaches!

Garhwal Post Himachal Times

I Next Jan Bharat Mail

First school

22 girls enrolled in the program at the Moravian Institute

Some equipment required for the program was improvised

The girls showed great enjoyment of the training sessions …

Zhidey Khangsar (Rehabilitation Centre) came on board

One of the coaches is a resident of the Centre. He is being assisted by a female boxer who is now a ModBoxcoach.

We now have 10 schools and the Rehabilitation Centre

… and the total number of participants is over 300 (~60% female)

Quality Assurance

First public performance

Video of public performance to be inserted

Indian manufacture

An environmental awareness campaign is associated with the ModBox project.

Over 200 people including ModBox participants attended a tree-planting ceremony on 26th January 2017 and there was some Australian participation

via Skype.

Advocates

Current status

• Highly positive feedback from DFAT

• Funding secured for further 12 months

• More schools wanting to come on board

• Coaching resource updated

• Strong collaborative relationships

• Equipment supply chain needs consolidation

• Links with Indian universities and local governments need to be pursued

• Win-win situation