Ajay Singh to Lead Interim Committee Overseeing BFI Affairs

Lausanne(The Uttam Hindu): World Boxing has established an interim committee to manage the affairs of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), following concerns raised by Indian boxing stakeholders about the governance of the national body. In a letter dated April 7 to BFI president Ajay Singh, World Boxing highlighted that it had received multiple requests from Indian stakeholders seeking to restore stability and establish an interim framework that aligns with World Boxing’s statutes and vision. The interim committee, chaired by Ajay Singh, includes BFI vice president Narender Kumar Nirwan, executive director Arun Malik, and Olympian L. Sarita Devi. A representative from the National Olympic Committee (IOA) will also be nominated in consultation with the IOA president.

Fairuz, president of the Singapore Boxing Association, will serve as the observer from World Boxing to oversee and validate the committee's work. The committee is set to begin its operations immediately and will function for a maximum of 90 days. Its responsibilities include:

Managing day-to-day BFI operations to ensure administrative continuity.

Organizing domestic boxing competitions, such as the National Championships, in a fair and transparent manner.

Selecting Indian boxing teams for international events based on established policies.

Coordinating with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), IOA, and other stakeholders to protect the interests of Indian boxing and its athletes.

Overseeing financial matters, ensuring transparency in the operation of BFI’s accounts.

Representing BFI in legal matters, acting in the Federation’s best interests.

Revising the BFI Constitution to align with World Boxing's statutes and Indian laws.

Addressing issues related to the registration and legality of the Indian boxing body.

Preparing India to host major events like the World Boxing Finals and World Boxing Congress.

Ensuring the conduct of fair and legal elections for the BFI as soon as possible.

In his letter, World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst stated that the interim committee aims to provide administrative stability and protect the interests of Indian boxers until a new democratic executive committee is elected. World Boxing will offer its full support and oversight during this transitional phase. The committee is required to submit its first report to World Boxing within 30 days, outlining the steps taken and the roadmap for future actions.