Boxing Federation of India Faces Calls for Reform and Transparency

In a recent meeting, officials from the Boxing Federation of India and state boxing associations voiced their concerns over the leadership of Ajay Singh, calling for increased transparency and accountability. With representatives from 27 state units present, the group emphasized the need for reforms to ensure that state associations have a meaningful role in decision-making. They also highlighted issues regarding access to leadership and the centralization of power within the federation. The delegation plans to take further action following a court ruling scheduled for November 13, 2026, as they strive to protect the interests of Indian boxing and its athletes.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 29, 2026, 00:06 IST

Concerns Raised Over BFI Leadership

New Delhi, October 28: Officials from the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) and delegates from various state boxing associations convened on Wednesday to demand enhanced transparency and accountability within the federation. They expressed their discontent with the current leadership of BFI president Ajay Singh, as stated in a press release.

The meeting took place at The Suryaa Hotel in New Friends Colony, New Delhi, and was followed by a press conference. Attendees voiced concerns that the federation's operations had become overly centralized, limiting the involvement of state associations in crucial decisions.

Representatives from 27 state units, including those from Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha, and Jharkhand, along with 8 out of 13 executive committee members, gathered to support the call for Ajay Singh's removal.

They emphasized the need to fortify the administrative structure of Indian boxing and ensure that state units have a significant role in the federation's governance.

Rohit Jainendra Jain, vice-president of the Delhi Amateur Boxing Association (DABA), criticized the BFI leadership, claiming that dissenters faced accusations and were often ousted from their roles.

When asked if he would run in the upcoming BFI elections, Jain affirmed his willingness, stating, “I have contested elections before and will do so again. However, our immediate goal is to liberate BFI from Ajay Singh's control and protect the interests of Indian boxing.”

BFI interim vice-president Rajesh Bhandari mentioned that the group decided against holding a Special General Meeting (SGM) on October 28 or initiating a no-confidence motion, citing respect for the ongoing judicial process.

“We are not proceeding with the SGM today, nor are we introducing a no-confidence motion. Nevertheless, we stand united in our concerns regarding Ajay Singh's leadership and are dedicated to enhancing BFI,” Bhandari stated.

He added that a delegation had presented a memorandum to the Union sports minister and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha, highlighting the issues related to the federation's operations. The group plans to decide on their next steps following the court's ruling set for November 13, 2026.

BFI general secretary Pramod Kumar described the federation as a “one-man organization” and called for increased participation from state associations in decision-making.

“With the exception of a few state associations, representatives from nearly all state units have united to work towards the betterment of the Indian Boxing Federation,” Kumar remarked.

Digvijay Singh, representing the Madhya Pradesh Boxing State Association, also voiced his dissatisfaction with the federation's operations, noting that representatives often experienced long delays in meeting with the BFI president, which he viewed as indicative of the challenges in accessing the federation's leadership.

The delegation's memorandum aimed to address administrative issues and advocate for reforms that would enhance the federation's transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. They also stressed the necessity of safeguarding the interests of athletes and the broader boxing community through improved governance.

The representatives reiterated their commitment to adhering to the judicial process and will determine their future actions after the court ruling on November 13.