Interim Committee Established to Manage Boxing Federation of India Amidst Election Delays

New Interim Committee for Boxing Federation of India

The ongoing struggle for control of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has taken a new direction as World Boxing has appointed an interim committee to oversee the sport's operations in the country. Boris van der Vorst, the president of World Boxing, has designated a seven-member panel led by BFI president Ajay Singh to manage the daily functions of boxing in India. In his correspondence, van der Vorst stated, “This Interim Committee is being formed to provide administrative continuity and safeguard the rights and interests of Indian boxers until elections are held and a new democratic executive committee is elected.”

The newly formed committee comprises BFI vice-president Narender Kumar Nirwan, executive director Arun Malik, and Olympian L Sarita Devi, who represents the Indian Olympic Association. Additionally, Fairuz Mohamed, president of the Singapore Boxing Association, has been appointed as an observer from World Boxing.

Originally, elections were set for March 28, but the process was halted due to ongoing court disputes before the Annual General Meeting (AGM) could take place. The conflict began when the Himachal state body nominated former sports minister Anurag Thakur to attend the AGM. However, the Returning Officer, Justice RK Gauba, determined that Thakur was ineligible to participate in the election as he was not an elected executive member. Thakur subsequently challenged this ruling in the Himachal Pradesh High Court, while the Delhi Amateur Boxing Association, which was also removed from the electoral list, pursued a similar action in the Delhi High Court. In response to these issues, Ajay Singh suspended BFI secretary Hemanta Kalita and treasurer Digvijay Singh due to allegations of financial mismanagement.

The interim committee is tasked with a maximum term of 90 days, during which it will ensure administrative stability, organize domestic competitions, and select teams to represent India in international events.