By Sahil Kohli
New Delhi [India], August 21: Ajay Singh has been re-elected for a third consecutive term as the president of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), a victory he describes as a "moment of satisfaction." He pledged to provide Indian boxers with the best possible resources.
The BFI elections, held on Thursday, saw Singh win decisively, garnering 40 votes compared to his opponent Jaslal Pradhan, who received 26 votes. This outcome reflects strong backing from state associations, allowing Singh to continue his leadership in Indian boxing. The elections involved participation from 34 state associations, which collectively cast 66 votes, and also determined other key positions such as Secretary General, Treasurer, and Vice Presidents.
In a statement following his election, Singh expressed pride in the significant advancements made by Indian boxers on the global stage in recent years.
Commitment to Excellence in Boxing
"This is a moment of satisfaction. Over the past eight years, Indian boxers have excelled, elevating our global ranking from 44 to 4. Our athletes are shining internationally, which is a testament to our hard work. However, we must strive for even greater heights, especially with the goal of winning Olympic medals after a medal-less performance in Paris 2024," he stated.
Singh assured that Indian boxers will receive top-notch training, nutrition, sports science, and international exposure. "With the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games approaching next year, along with the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, we are committed to ensuring our athletes have everything they need. We will also host the World Boxing Cup in November and the World Boxing Congress, showcasing India's pivotal role in global boxing," he added.
Challenges Overcome in Indian Boxing
The BFI elections signify the conclusion of a tumultuous period for Indian boxing, characterized by legal disputes and internal conflicts. These issues arose following the end of the previous leadership's term on February 2, 2025. Originally scheduled for March 28, the elections were delayed due to ongoing legal challenges and internal strife. Tensions heightened when the appointed Returning Officer, former Delhi High Court judge RK Gauba, resigned amid allegations of a defamation campaign.
To stabilize the situation, World Boxing appointed an Interim Committee in April 2025 to oversee daily operations and set a deadline of August 31 for conducting new elections to restore order within the federation.
Legal Proceedings and Election Outcomes
On August 7, the Delhi High Court reviewed four writ petitions from various boxing associations regarding the upcoming BFI elections. The Delhi Amateur Boxing Association sought an interim stay on the elections, while others challenged the validity of the BFI's newly adopted constitution, claiming it was beyond its authority. They also requested the appointment of a new Returning Officer.
However, the High Court did not grant any interim relief to the petitioners and allowed the elections to proceed, subject to the outcome of the ongoing legal matters. The Interim Committee confirmed that 30 out of 34 member units supported the amended Constitution, which had also received approval from World Boxing.
Resilience of Indian Boxers
Despite these administrative and legal challenges, Singh highlighted the resilience of Indian boxers. "The impressive performances of our junior and sub-junior teams in Jordan demonstrate that they have not been hindered by these issues. We ensured they received the best training and selection processes," he remarked.
Earlier this month, the Indian U19 and U22 Boxing Championships concluded with India securing 27 medals across both age groups, including 14 medals for U19 boxers.
New Leadership and Future Prospects
Pramod Kumar, elected as Secretary General, described the election as a "win for Indian boxing," emphasizing the need to move past political strife. He committed to organizing numerous tournaments to enhance participation and competition among boxers.
Fairuz Mohamed, chairperson of the BFI Interim Committee, expressed satisfaction with the election process, noting its fairness and transparency. He congratulated the newly elected leaders and expressed confidence in Singh's ability to further elevate Indian boxing.
Overall, the elections have clarified the future of Indian boxing administration, with Singh's leadership expected to foster stability and progress in the sport.
