New Delhi, Feb 26: Olympic medallist Vijender Singh has emphasized the need for increased international exposure for Indian boxers to enhance their chances of winning medals at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. He also advocated for immediate and fair elections in the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) to strengthen its governance.
Indian boxers have missed out on international competitions since the Paris Olympics, and the women’s national championships have faced numerous delays.
Additionally, the elections for the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) have also been postponed.
“As our country continues to advance in sports, I firmly believe that Indian boxers require more international competition exposure to secure medals at the LA Olympics in 2028,” Vijender expressed on X on Wednesday.
“To achieve this, we need to conduct fresh and fair elections as soon as possible to build a robust federation. I would be eager to use my experience if the government entrusts me with any responsibility. @PMOIndia @mansukhmandviya,” he added.
The term of BFI office-bearers concluded on February 3, but the delay in conducting elections has led the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to intervene and establish an ad-hoc body.
On Monday, the IOA set up a five-member ad-hoc committee to manage the sport’s administration until elections can be held.
The committee is chaired by former Athletics Federation of India (AFI) treasurer Madhukant Pathak and includes long-standing officials from the boxing federation like Rajesh Bhandari (vice-chairman), DP Bhatt, Virendra Singh Thakur, and former Asian champion Shiva Thapa, who serves as the only players’ representative.
Indian boxing faced a challenging campaign at the Paris Games, returning without any medals.
Compounding the sport’s difficulties, boxing’s future within the Olympic framework remains uncertain, as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has suspended the International Boxing Association (IBA) led by Umar Kremlev. The breakaway World Boxing is working to achieve IOC recognition. (PTI)
