Commonwealth boxing: Canada, NZ to participate

Canada, along with 17 other countries, have confirmed their participation in the sixth Commonwealth Boxing Championship, to be held in New Delhi from March 10 to 18.

"Canadian officials have given us a verbal assurance that they would be coming and we are expecting an official letter of confirmation very soon," said the event's media manager and former coach O P Bharadwaj.

A 19-member Indian contingent, including coaches, for the event would be announced by next week, he said.

Apart from Canada, New Zealand, England, Pakistan and Northern Ireland are the other prominent countries to have confirmed their participation in the tournament, which would be without Australia.

Australia would be giving it a miss owing to "prior commitments".

Nonetheless, close to 200 boxers are expected to compete in the event.

India won a gold, two silver and six bronze medals in the previous edition held in Liverpool.