Desk
Share
New Delhi: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has stepped in to take control of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) after multiple complaints from boxers and stakeholders about its poor administration and failure to send Indian boxers to key national and international events.
The IOA has appointed a five-member ad-hoc committee to manage the BFI’s daily affairs, following the federation’s failure to hold elections by the February 2 deadline.
Why Did IOA Take Action Against BFI?
BFI was supposed to conduct elections before February 2, 2025 but failed to do so.
Boxers complained about mismanagement and lack of participation in competitions.
IOA stepped in to restore order and ensure fair elections.
IOA President PT Usha emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating:
"As per governing norms, BFI elections were to be conducted before February 2, 2025. The failure to do so has caused administrative instability within the federation."
Who Will Oversee BFI Now?
Five-Member Ad-Hoc Panel Appointed by IOA:
Madhukant Pathak (Former AFI Treasurer) – Panel Head
Shiva Thapa (Indian Boxer)
DP Bhatt
Virendra Singh Thakur
Rajesh Bhandari
The ad-hoc panel’s main tasks will be:
Overseeing daily operations of BFI
Ensuring fair elections at the earliest
Addressing athlete grievances
BFI Elections Likely in March 2025
Following IOA’s intervention, the BFI elections are expected to be held next month.
PT Usha assured that the ad-hoc panel will ensure fair elections and take steps to resolve concerns raised by Indian boxers about the federation’s inefficiency.
Why This Matters:
- The BFI’s failure to function properly had directly impacted Indian boxers preparing for major international events.
- With the Paris 2024 Olympics approaching, restoring BFI’s credibility and efficiency is critical.
