New Delhi: The three-member fact-finding commission appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has submitted its report on the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), urging the immediate “termination” of the interim committee endorsed by World Boxing and led by Ajay Singh until Saturday, citing violations of the national sports code, 2011.The report declared that decisions made by the panel since its establishment on April 7, 2025, are “null and void”.TOI has obtained a three-page letter by IOA president PT Usha, addressed to both World Boxing president Boris Van der Vorst and the sports ministry, in which, she stated that the national Olympic committee’s (NOC) inquiry committee identified the March 7 notification issued by then BFI president Singh as “the central issue causing delays in the election process”.The notification on March 7 followed former sports minister Anurag Thakur’s intention to contest the BFI presidency against Singh, who was seeking a third term. The notification stated: “Bonafide and duly elected members during the election AGM (duly notified to BFI) of the state units affiliated with the BFI shall be authorised to represent their respective states/union territories”.In her letter, Usha wrote: “The committee has observed that the appointment of a candidate (read Singh) in the upcoming elections as chairman of this interim body constitutes a significant conflict of interest. While the undersigned (read Usha) acknowledges World Boxing’s likely intention to ensure administrative continuity, the committee has opined that this arrangement effectively allows Singh to retain control over the BFI, which is considered both unconstitutional and legally untenable.”Usha further stated that the IOA’s committee provided specific recommendations to restore democratic governance and safeguard the integrity of Indian boxing. These recommendations include “the immediate conduction of elections to the BFI’s executive committee preferably under the supervision of the IOA or an independent authority designated by the high court or the ministry of youth affairs and sports (MYAS). The process must adhere to the BFI’s memorandum (as amended up to June 24, 2022).”
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Additionally, the committee recommended “the immediate suspension or termination of the interim committee established by World Boxing through its letter dated April 7, 2025. All decisions taken by this interim committee should be declared null and void, as they were made in violation of both the BFI constitution and the national sports code, 2011. Until a duly elected executive committee is formed, the BFI should be placed under the supervision of a neutral, non-partisan committee appointed by the IOA. All financial and policy decisions should be undertaken under the direct oversight of the IOA, which the committee believes is in the best interest of Indian boxing.”The BFI’s interim committee has scheduled the federation’s elections for Aug 21. Sources have indicated that the ministry is likely to instruct the IOA to oversee the electoral process. However, since World Boxing will be sending its observer and has approved the elections, any govt or external interference could contravene the Olympic charter, potentially leading to an indefinite ban of the BFI by the sport’s global body. Moreover, if the BFI proceeds with its elections despite the IOA’s objections, the ministry could refuse to acknowledge the elections and suspend the federation.
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