IOA Forms Ad-Hoc Committee to Manage Indian Boxing Following BFI Issues.

Sports

On February 24, 2025, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), based in New Delhi, replaced the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) with an ad-hoc committee following ongoing administrative instability within the federation.


      - The ad-hoc committee is chaired by Madhukant Pathak, General Secretary of the Jharkhand Olympic Association, with Rajesh Bhandari, BFI Vice-President (VP), as Vice-Chairman (VC), along with boxing officials Dr. D.P. Bhatt, Virendra Singh Thakur, and boxer Shiva Thapa.

      - The decision was made because the tenure of the BFI office-bearers, including Ajay Singh as president, ended on February 2, 2025, but elections were not conducted.

     

Main Point :-   (i) The IOA also cited "numerous complaints" from athletes, coaches, and relevant authorities regarding the non-participation of Indian boxers in several important national and international events, including the lack of medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris (France).

      (ii) The ad-hoc committee will manage the affairs of the BFI and ensure the "smooth functioning of its activities" until free and fair elections are conducted.

(iii) The committee will promptly address the grievances raised by the boxing community, ensure athlete participation in upcoming international competitions, and work towards conducting the elections as soon as possible.

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