IOA forms fact-finding committee to investigate delay in boxing federation's elections
NEW DELHI: A little over a week after the sports ministry wrote to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to devise a mechanism so that the long overdue elections of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) can be held at the earliest, the PT Usha-led IOA has constituted a three-member fact-finding committee to investigate the reasons behind the delay in holding the electoral process.
The IOA panel, which was formed on Friday, has been asked to submit its report within a week so that the factual position can be presented to the World Boxing – the sport's global governing body – and a clear roadmap can be prepared for holding elections in a fair and timely manner.
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Usha had met World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst in Lausanne late last month.
The committee comprises IOA treasurer Sahdev Yadav as its chairperson, with IOA executive council member Bhupender Singh Bajwa and advocate Payal Kakra as the other two members.
'The term of the current EC of the BFI ended on Feb 2, and fresh elections have not been conducted since,' Usha said in an IOA office order. 'A three-member fact-finding committee has been constituted to examine the current legal and administrative status of the BFI; assess the implications of the delay on the governance and functioning of boxing in India and to recommend necessary actions, including engagement with World Boxing, and suggest a clear roadmap for holding elections in a fair and timely manner,' the order stated.
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The BFI elections, initially set for Feb 2, were rescheduled to March 28 following Himachal Pradesh high court's directive, due to legal challenges from member affiliates regarding the election process. Since then, the elections have been postponed indefinitely.
Currently, the BFI is managed by a six-member committee appointed by World Boxing, chaired by current president Ajay Singh, who seeks a third term. This committee, formed on April 7 for 90 days, was tasked with managing daily operations and addressing issues hindering boxing's development.
The initial term concluded on July 7. The committee received another extension until Aug 31.
Responding to the IOA's letter, the BFI's interim panel on Sunday assured timely holding of the elections by Aug 31 deadline.
'World Boxing has clearly mandated that the BFI elections be held before Aug 31, and as the interim committee, we are fully committed to delivering free and fair polls within that timeline. At the same time, it is important to reaffirm that the autonomy of the national federation is governed by the framework laid down by the world body.
While we respect the intent behind the IOA's formation of a three-member fact-finding committee, the process underway is already transparent, accountable, and well-documented.
All key action points and developments have been formally communicated to both the IOA and the ministry, ensuring complete institutional clarity. With all information already in the public domain, there is little left to be uncovered,' said Col Arun Malik (retd), executive director, BFI and member of the interim committee.
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