New Delhi, Feb 26: Olympic medallist Vijender Singh has called for greater international exposure for Indian boxers to boost their 2028 Los Angles Games medal hopes while also urging fresh and fair elections in the BFI to strengthen its governance.
Indian boxers have been absent from international competitions since the Paris Olympics, and the women’s national championships have faced multiple postponements.
Meanwhile, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) elections have also been delayed.
“The way our country is progressing in sports, I strongly feel that Indian boxers must get more foreign exposure in competitions from now onwards to secure medals at the LA Olympics 2028,” Vijender wrote on X on Wednesday.
The tenure of BFI office-bearers ended on February 3, but the failure to conduct timely elections prompted the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to step in and constitute an ad-hoc body.
On Monday, the IOA formed a five-member ad-hoc committee to oversee the sport’s administration until elections are held.
The panel is led by former Athletics Federation of India (AFI) treasurer Madhukant Pathak and includes long-time boxing federation officials such as Rajesh Bhandari (vice-chairman), DP Bhatt, Virendra Singh Thakur, and former Asian champion Shiva Thapa, who serves as the sole players’ representative.
Indian boxing endured a disappointing campaign at the Paris Games, returning empty-handed.
Adding to the sport’s challenges, boxing’s future in the Olympic program remains uncertain, as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has suspended the Umar Kremlev-led International Boxing Association (IBA).
The breakaway World Boxing is striving for IOC recognition.
‘Willing to contest BFI elections’
Vijender has called for “fresh and fair” elections in the crisis-ridden national federation and said that he won’t hesitate to be among the candidates if “given a responsibility”.
The 39-year-old, whose 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze marked the beginning of arguably the best phase of Indian boxing before things went downhill little over a decade later, is currently plying his trade in the professional circuit. However, he hasn’t competed since 2022.
“I would like to stand for the elections whenever they happen. I have fought all my life, it would be another fight for me. I have no idea whether I will find support but I am not afraid to place myself out there,” Vijender said.
“If there is an opportunity for me to make a change, I will give it my best. But that does not mean I am retiring as an athlete. I would never do that,” he added.
The administrative mess has been in the making for months owing to internal complaints against alleged financial misconduct, and turf wars between officials, who do not have a history of cohesive functioning.
The IOA’s five-member ad-hoc committee has been entrusted to oversee the sport’s administration until elections are held.
The administrative logjam has had a cascading effect on the boxers’ performance and training as well.
Already reeling under the after-effects of a medal-less Olympic campaign, Indian boxers have been absent from international competitions ever since and the women’s national championship has faced multiple postponements.
The most recent miss was the prestigious Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria.
After turning professional in 2015, Vijender, a Khel Ratna awardee, has also dabbled in politics.
He joined the ruling BJP last year after spending a few years with the Congress party, even fighting Lok Sabha elections in 2019 for the outfit. (PTI)
