Boxing Federation President Accuses Suspended Secretary of Sabotaging Nationals

Allegations Against Suspended Secretary General

Ajay Singh, the president of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), has claimed that the recently suspended secretary general, Hemanta Kalita, is attempting to prevent boxers, including Lovlina Borgohain, who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, from participating in the upcoming National Championships. This statement follows the suspension of Kalita and treasurer Digvijay Singh due to allegations of corruption, with Singh emphasizing that politics should not interfere with the sport.

The Elite Women’s Senior National Boxing Championships are scheduled to take place in Greater Noida from March 21 to 27. Singh noted, "Lovlina expressed her eagerness to compete in the Nationals through a video message, but we are now hearing that her participation is in jeopardy. The Assam state body is reportedly preventing its boxers from competing, and we have also received information that other associations may be doing the same." He further stated, "I am willing to cover all expenses for these boxers to ensure they can participate in the Nationals, including travel, accommodation, and any other necessary arrangements. We have also set up a helpline (7003191553) for boxers to reach out for assistance."

On Tuesday, Singh suspended the two BFI officials based on an inquiry led by retired Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain. He refuted claims that these actions were politically driven, asserting, "Both officials supported the decision to investigate the allegations, which is documented in the meeting minutes. I opted for an independent inquiry with Justice Jain to ensure transparency. After receiving the report, I had to act to uphold the federation's integrity."