BFI Under Fire: Olympians and Awardees Demand Accountability from Leadership
Indian boxing legends and Olympians demand accountability from BFI President Ajay Singh, calling for transparency and grassroots focus.
The boxing fraternity in India has sounded a loud alarm over the current state of the sport's administration. In a high-profile gathering at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, a powerful coalition of Olympians, Arjuna Awardees, Dronacharya Awardees, and veteran coaches have come together to raise serious questions regarding the leadership and future direction of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) under President Ajay Singh.
A United Front for Change
The press conference saw a gathering of the sport's most decorated figures, including Rajkumar Sangwan, SR Singh, Anup Singh, Jaypal Singh, Manoj Kumar, and Dhayal. These eminent personalities and former international boxers stood in solidarity with Pramod Kumar, the Secretary General of the BFI, to highlight systemic failures within the federation.
Pramod Kumar, addressing the media, detailed the administrative hurdles he has encountered during his tenure. He claimed that despite multiple emails and persistent attempts to meet with the BFI President to resolve critical issues, he has not received any satisfactory response or resolution.
Grassroots Focus vs. Administrative Silence
A central theme of the outcry is the perceived neglect of grassroots development. Pramod Kumar, who previously played a role in the selection process that identified athletics star Neeraj Chopra at a young age, emphasized that without early talent identification, the sport cannot thrive.
“If we do not work at the grassroots level and organise championships, how will boxing develop? If we do not have the raw material, how will we produce the finished product?”
Kumar revealed his commitment to the sport's foundation, mentioning the introduction of under-12 boxing in Uttar Pradesh and the registration of young athletes. In a startling revelation, he stated that he spent approximately Rs 21–22 lakh from his own personal funds to ensure boxing activities and competitions continued in Uttar Pradesh despite facing financial and organizational obstacles.
Key Demands for a Boxing Revival
The boxing community isn't just complaining; they have presented a comprehensive roadmap for the BFI to follow. The fraternity is calling for a measurable, time-bound development plan that includes:
- Structured Competitions: Regular and professionally organized national championships, with a specific focus on Sub-Junior and Junior boxers.
- Transparency: The publication of an annual competition calendar and a transparent appointment process for referees, judges, and technical officials based on merit and experience.
- Fair Selection: Clear, objective, and published criteria for selecting athletes for national camps and international events.
- Professional Coaching: Transparent procedures for hiring national and foreign coaches to ensure the best interests of Indian boxing are met.
- Accountability: The establishment of an effective grievance-redressal system to protect deserving athletes and maintain trust in selection decisions.
Financial Concerns and Government Support
While the group expressed deep concern over the lack of corporate sponsorship for boxing competitions, they were quick to acknowledge the vital role played by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian government. They credited these entities for facilitating competitions and providing the necessary support to keep athletes competitive on the world stage.
Closing the session, Pramod Kumar reiterated that his motives are entirely devoid of personal interest, stating, “I have been a player, and I will always stand in favour of players. Our focus must remain on the future of Indian boxing.”