New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS): Boxing India (BI) Wednesday launched the Indian Series of Boxing (ISB) and introduced a national ranking system following the conclusion of its second Executive Committee Meeting (ECM).

The ISB - the new national league - is a platform for grooming pugilists and popularising the sport in India. Male boxers, across weight categories, will participate and have a chance to win prize money besides their regular salaries.

ISB will act as qualifier for the World Series of Boxing (WSB) and this qualification will give the boxers an opportunity to directly qualify for the World Championships and Olympics.

For the ranking system, a core committee is designing a chart that will ensure that all boxers get ranked on the basis of their participation in various state, zonal, national and international tournaments.

The purpose of the ranking system is to bring meritocracy and transparency which will give the highest ranked boxers a chance to represent the country. Further, there will be a grading system such that boxers of various ranking systems will get permanent contracts.

“In the best interest of the sport, the boxers and the nation, it was imperative to take a decision and introduce reforms to transform the sport. Introduction of the ISB is one such reform that is poised to bring in a new boxing economy. These reforms are aimed at giving maximum exposure to our pugilists by providing a solid training platform and grooming them to perform well at the international sporting events," BI president Sandeep Jajodia said.

"Therefore, these new reforms would not only be instrumental in enhancing the overall popularity of the sport and enhancing the skills of the boxers but would also ensure their financial growth.”