The uncertainty that has prevailed for months due to administrative disputes and internal power struggles is now coming to an end. The much-awaited elections of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) will be held on Thursday.
Sports News: The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) is finally going to hold its long-awaited elections after months of uncertainty and legal complexities. In these elections to be held on Thursday, the current president and Managing Director of SpiceJet, Ajay Singh, will once again be in the spotlight. Singh is trying to become the president for the third consecutive time, while Jaslal Pradhan, Olympian of 1984 and head of the Sikkim state unit, will challenge him.
The BFI elections were originally scheduled to be held on March 28, but they were postponed due to petitions, appeals, and legal challenges. Now, after almost six months, the way has been cleared for the election of a new executive committee in the federation. The Delhi High Court has allowed the election, but has also clarified that the results will depend on the final outcome of the cases pending in the court.
Ajay Singh – Two-Time President, Third-Time Challenge
Ajay Singh was elected BFI President in 2016 and 2019. This time too, his goal is to win the post for the third consecutive time. His term officially ended in February 2024, but due to the non-formation of a new executive, he remains one of the most influential people in Indian boxing administration.
Recently, World Boxing appointed him as the Chairman of the Interim Committee, which handled the daily functioning of the BFI. This was seen as an indication of his influence at the global level.
Disputes of the Interim Committee
- The Interim Committee, chaired by Ajay Singh, took several major decisions during its tenure.
- New coaches were appointed for the men's and women's teams.
- Amendments were made to the BFI constitution.
- Controversial selection and evaluation system changes were implemented.
- A new system of national camp selection was introduced.
The most interesting appointment was that of D Chandralal, head of the Kerala state unit and one of the potential presidential contenders in March, as the chief coach of the women's team. Apart from this, the suspension of former General Secretary Hemant Kalita was also removed before the elections. However, these decisions raised questions about the legitimacy of the committee. The Fact-Finding Committee of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) alleged that the Interim Committee violated the National Sports Code 2011 and recommended its dismissal.
Allegations of the Opposing Faction
The faction opening a front against Ajay Singh includes the units of Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Delhi. This faction is supporting Jaslal Pradhan. Opponents allege that Ajay Singh is running the federation in an "autocratic manner." The issue of appointing a foreign coach and not consulting the executive committee in major decisions has also been raised repeatedly.
The long-standing disputes in the BFI have also affected Indian boxing. The camps and selection process of the teams have been repeatedly questioned. Players and coaches have faced uncertainty.
