The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) on Friday joined the World Boxing Federation (WB), a newly formed body aimed at garnering support and ensuring boxing's continuation as an Olympic sport in the absence of an IOC-recognised boxing governing body.
Boxing's future as an Olympic sport is in jeopardy after the IOC revoked recognition of the International Boxing Association (IBA) last year after a lengthy dispute over governance, Russian sponsorship and the fairness of the matches. Boxing has yet to feature in the LA28 Olympics. The IBA had appealed the IOC's decision to the Court of Arbitration. In April, the CAS upheld the IOC's decision, finding that the IBA had not met the IOC's conditions for recognition.
With India joining the IOC-promoted World Boxing, the number of Asian boxing federations leaving the sport is only set to increase.
“India today is one of the leading boxing nations in the world and in all our meetings with the World Boxing Association and the IOC, it is clear that the IOC wants to make a fresh start,” Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh said. “They want a new world organisation, one that the IOC will directly drive and support and it is our responsibility to strengthen it and invite other countries to join the federation.”
Singh was speaking from Bangkok, where an IOC special committee is hosting the Paris Olympic boxing world qualifiers.
He said it was important that boxing remain an Olympic sport. “Every boxer dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete – for them, boxing is their livelihood. It is absolutely essential that boxing remains an Olympic sport if it is to remain an Olympic sport. We are delighted to join World Boxing and look forward to working closely with the Executive Committee for the future development of boxing,” he said.
Singh held several meetings with World Boxing Association president Boris van der Vorst, who also visited India in May.
“We currently have strong partners in Asia in Mongolia and the Philippines but India has been in a class of its own in recent years in terms of leadership and development. I believe that with India's help we can develop Asia as a serious federation. As far as Asia is concerned, boxing needs to get its feet on the ground more,” Boris said.
India will play a key role in setting up an Asian federation with its headquarters in Delhi, Singh said.
The new world federation will need to reach a membership threshold of 50 to receive provisional recognition from the IOC.
“Currently we have 30 member associations and to meet the requirements to host the Summer Olympics we need to increase that number to 50. That's our goal this year.”
“There are strict conditions for boxing to be included in the program. Provisional approval must be obtained by the end of this year. Boxing must take place in Los Angeles at the beginning of 2025,” Boris said.
Singh, however, said India would continue to belong to the IBA and compete in IBA events until the World Boxing Association puts in place a proper competitive structure. “It is clear that the IBA will continue to hold some championships and Indian boxers will be able to take part in these championships. You can't take away Indian boxers,” Singh said.
