India, Jan. 4 -- The National Boxing Championships (Elite Men and Women) scheduled at the Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida faced major organisational shortcomings on the first day of the competition on Sunday. The meet was to start at 2pm, but was delayed by more than four hours as boxing rings were still being set up.

Boxers were waiting for their bouts since afternoon with no clue when they would start. Around 80 bouts in men and women were scheduled but it is unlikely that all the fights will be completed on Sunday. Boxers waited in the hall for long hours, stretching themselves to stay warm and ready.

"It's a complete mess," said a coach whose trainee was to take the ring early. "When we reached the venue we were surprised ...