I HOPE that, at the conclusion of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, we will have more to remember than the controversy over the tower blocks.
These Games are promoted as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all in Scotland, as they are unlikely to be back here again for some time. They are supposed to be an opportunity for Scotland's young sports talent to impress in their preferred sport, to inspire the next generation to get involved in grass roots sports at community level, and to leave a lasting impression of Scotland as a free and go-ahead society, where you can aspire to your greatest dream.
That's how I would like to remember these Games - but with an interest in boxing, my dream has already been soured, as Scotland's young women boxers are blocked from competing in these Games. Boxing Scotland and Sports Scotland have seemingly decided that there are no women boxers in Scotland good enough, or experienced enough, to take part. So they won't be seen competing against all the other young women boxers of England, Ireland, and the many other Commonwealth countries involved.
But if you had been at the Scottish Boxing Finals in the Emirates Arena, Glasgow, with about 5000 other spectators a few weeks back,you would have seen four women's finals being contested. You might wonder why they are excluded. These were the senior elite female boxers, boxing under the official international boxing regulations and safeguards as will apply in the Games. They showed excellent skills, stamina, and ringcraft, and were a credit to the hard work Boxing Scotland has put in to reorganising the sport.
Many were inspired by the London Olympics women boxers, and have trained especially hard for the last few years, driven on by their Games dream, and as guided and instructed by Boxing Scotland-approved coaches and affiliated boxing clubs. But they have seen that dream demolished, which leaves me wondering if this was a case of erring on the side of caution - or not enough money being allocated. I wonder if other nations might see this as reflecting a perceived part of the traditional male Scottish psyche which thinks women should forever be kept in the back kitchen.
It is a pity that all those protesting about the tower blocks being knocked down couldn't do the same about our women boxers' dreams being knocked down. Perhaps then we might yet see some of these women at least taking part in some representational exhibition bouts. That would be a case of showing the pride of Scotland's women's boxers to the world, and compensating them for being let down.
Alex Lawson,
33 Greenwell Park, Glenrothes.
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