Indian sport and intrigue have always gone hand in hand, but the ‘case of the missing boxing rings’ is odd even by their standards. Two boxing rings, part of the inventory register at the National Stadium, were lost more than a year ago. But the matter, as things stand, seems to have been conveniently buried under the piles of rubble outside the venue.

While the stadium administrator neither confirms nor denies the losses, the Director in charge of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) remained tight-lipped.

“The rings were in good condition and a lot of boys used to train here. But today nobody knows where they have disappeared,” says a coach who trained at the stadium. He also adds that they are not the only losses that SAI suffered. “There have been quite a few thefts that have taken place, but nobody seems to bother.”

A visit to the stadium, where it is difficult to gain access these days, gives you a glimpse of the “scrap material” littered around the venue, with tables, chairs and even training material scattered around for the last one year.

According to sources, when the CPWD took over the stadium for renovation for the Commonwealth Games, things that were not going to be used were declared “scrap”. Subsequently, SAI set up a committee to evaluate them and recommend an auction. Nothing has moved since.