Recognition from Union Government and Indian Olympic Association will be crucial

Navneet Singh

The Union Sports Ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) stayed away from Boxing Federation of India elections on Thursday, raising doubts whether the newly elected executive body will get the approval at home.

The government and IOA did not send its observers for BFI elections on Thursday where the office-bearer of the BFI were elected. However, World Boxing observer—Fairuz Mohamed was present and it has recognised the elected body, saying the elections happened in ‘fair and transparent’ manner.

The BFI incumbent Ajay Singh was re-elected president for the third term. Singh, who is managing director and chairman of SpiceJet Airlines, represented Uttarakhand state unit.

While new comer –Pramod Kumar representing Uttar Pradesh unit, was declared secretary general. Pon Baskaran (Tamil Nadu) was elected treasurer.

Delhi High Court

The immediate worry for the newly elected body will be Delhi High Court case where the opposition had raised the issue of ‘arbitrarily’ changing the BFI constitution without approval from the general body that favoured Singh in the August 21 election. BFI has, however, claimed that it has followed the due process and got the approval of members. The amended BFI constitution, though, was approved by World Boxing.

The Delhi High Court has allowed the election to take place subject to the outcome of petition from four state units. The Sports Ministry has told the court that the constitutional amendments were not carried out as per the bylaws of BFI.

Sports Ministry

A Sports Ministry official said that they will wait for next court hearing in September. “We have told court that due process was not followed in the election. The matter is now in court,” said a ministry official.

Several technical officials of BFI have also complained that travel and daily allowance is pending for long.

The most important issue for Singh will be streamlining the existing coaching system that didn’t fetch results at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

World Boxing Cup

“Since BFI failed to conduct its annual domestic competition on time, the women’s boxing team failed to compete at the first World Boxing Cup in Brazil,” a senior boxing official said.

Indian elite female boxers had also alleged the coaching system isn’t good and current setup should be changed to thoroughly prepare Indian team for the 2028 LA Olympic Games, according to officials in the know of things.

The issue was buried under the carpet.

On paper, it might look one-sided contest for the president’s post. Still, Sikkim’s Jaslal Pradhan, an Olympian who was the contestant of opposition, secured 26 votes against 40 votes collected by Singh.

Paris Olympic Games

Pradhan, a former international boxer had expressed dissatisfaction about the functioning of the BFI. “BFI took several state units office bearers to witness Paris Olympic Games. But we didn’t get tickets to watch boxers in action. Hence, we watched the competition on TV from a hotel room in Paris,”

The election to other important posts were also close, showing strong opposition against Singh.  “There is dissent within the system and BFI should take everyone on board while taking important decisions,” said another official.

The elections, conducted with participation from 34 state associations representing 66 votes.

Singh in a statement said: “This victory is a reaffirmation of the trust and faith my colleagues from across the country have placed in me. It is not just a mandate, but a recognition of the relentless work we have done together to take Indian boxing forward.”

“My foremost commitment is to ensure that every ounce of energy now goes into strengthening grassroots programs, empowering our junior and youth athletes, and building on India’s growing stature in world boxing,” Singh added.