The formation of an Indian boxing federation has been a bit like a soap opera that is not an over exaggeration. Every news associated with it has been like a series that has been garlanded with suspense at each corner. Now just when we were all looking forward to elections taking place for the formation of Boxing Federation of India, a roadblock greeted all of us as the much-awaited elections to form a new boxing body on have been put off indefinitely after the BFI couldn't get itself registered in Mumbai.
This ‘registration’ roadblock is another frustrating tale of administrators concerning Indian boxing not getting their house in order. One fails to understand why the BFI appeared to work on war-like footing for holding the elections when it hasn't registered itself in Mumbai.
Interestingly, the Sports Ministry has done its bit issuing a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the registration of BFI last month. Not just that, the ministry had agreed to depute an observer for the elections.
The point is simple – if a federation is not registered, it cannot hold elections as the amount collected by the ad-hoc committee from each state unit (35 units barring Telangana) cannot be deposited into the bank account in the name of the BFI.
“We could not get the registration thing as we desire which has pushed our plans back – we hope to overcome this hurdle soon,” said a boxing official who is privy to the developments. It is also to be understood that without BFI getting registered, it cannot procure funds from the Sports Ministry.
“Unless BFI is registered, the Sports Ministry will not release the funds from the National Sports Development Funds,” the official added.
Although it could not be confirmed – it is learnt that the international body (AIBA) has extended its May 14 deadline till May 24.
“AIBA is happy to see our sincerity of putting a federation in place. We have given some more time to sort things out,” the official said without divulging much. Once the registration is done, another big hurdle remains – the recognition with the Indian Olympic Association. Boxing India – the last body – never got IOA recognition.
One hopes all the uncertainty blows over and our boxers get to fight in Rio under the national flag.
