NEW DELHI: In a significant development for Indian boxing, World Boxing has established an interim committee to oversee the operations of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI). This move aims to ensure administrative continuity amid ongoing turmoil and to manage domestic and international competitions effectively.
World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst communicated this decision in a letter to BFI Chairman Ajay Singh, detailing the composition and responsibilities of the newly appointed six-member committee, which Singh will lead for a term not exceeding 90 days. Alongside Singh, the committee includes BFI Vice President Narender Kumar Nirwan, Executive Director Arun Malik, and Olympian L Sarita Devi. The remaining two members will consist of a nominee from the Indian Olympic Committee (IOA), pending selection by IOA President PT Usha, and Fairuz Mohamed, President of the Singapore Boxing Association, who will also serve as an observer for World Boxing.
The establishment of this interim committee comes in the wake of significant factionalism and internal strife within the federation, which has caused delays in scheduled elections. The BFI elections, initially set for February 2, encountered various legal disputes and procedural complications. Compounding the issues, Singh suspended BFI Secretary Hemanta Kalita and Treasurer Digvijay Singh after an inquiry led by former Delhi High Court Judge Sudhir Kumar Jain revealed financial irregularities. Both officials have since challenged their suspensions in court.
The turmoil led to several state units boycotting the recent women’s national championships, which prompted Singh to announce multiple national events. Van der Vorst’s letter emphasized that the interim committee would provide ongoing administrative support and uphold the interests of Indian boxers until new elections can appoint a democratic executive committee.
The committee’s responsibilities will encompass the day-to-day management of the BFI, including organizing national championships transparently and ensuring all athletes can participate. It will facilitate the selection of Indian teams for international competitions based on established selection policies, as well as maintain communication with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), IOA, and other stakeholders to safeguard the interests of Indian boxing.
Furthermore, the committee is tasked with overseeing financial matters related to BFI operations and managing bank accounts responsibly to ensure transparency. It is authorized to represent BFI in ongoing and future legal proceedings while working in the federation’s best interests.
World Boxing, which received recognition from the International Olympic Committee in February, will require the committee to revise and align the BFI’s constitution according to both its statutes and Indian legal standards. Additionally, the committee must ensure India’s preparedness to host the World Boxing Finals and World Boxing Congress and facilitate the conduct of free and fair elections for BFI as soon as possible.
The interim committee is expected to submit its inaugural report within 30 days, detailing actions taken and the proposed roadmap for the future of Indian boxing.
Agencies