PANJIM: Having won many National laurels, including Gold at the Federation Cup, renowned boxing coach Santosh Birmole is up for a bout with his department – Goa Police.
Birmole, a constable with the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), has been selected for the boxing coaching camp in Bhopal, which commenced on June 14. However, he has been unable to attend it as he says his application for leave has been denied.
“It is a proud moment to coach the State as well the National team. Earlier, every time I got National calls, I used to apply for leave to participate in such camps. But since I have already exhausted my leave I had written to the Department asking them to grant me on-duty leave, which they have denied,” Birmole, who is part of the 12-member coach staff appointed to train the National contingent in Bhopal, said.
“My participation for this camp is purely due to passion and love for the sport. I don’t get any monetary benefits for the same,” he added.
Since 2013, Birmole has been coaching India’s youth men’s team and is an integral part of the National camp. “For this camp, I don’t have balance leave with me and I request them (authority concerned) to put them on duty and they are not agreeing to it,” said Birmole, who added that coaches from other States, from the Army and Railways would participate in coaching camps considering them on-duty.
“My only request to the department is that they release me for the same as I am doing it for my country,” he added.
Referring to the case, SP IRB Utkrisht Prasoon said, “I am not aware of this case but as per my knowledge we have not rejected any application. This is an administrative issue. But I would like to clarify that people are allowed to go on duty for National events”.
Birmole, the lone coach from Goa, who has international coaching examinations, was appointed by Sports Authority of Goa and Boxing Federation of India.
In 2016, Birmole was caught up with a similar situation with Goa Police wherein he was waiting for his release status from the department.
Birmole completed his Diploma in Coaching through National Institute of Sports, Kolkata in 2011 and has since then been awaiting appointment by Sports Authority of Goa through transfer from Goa Police.
Goa Boxing Association did not respond to Herald calls.
