Ajay Singh, the SpiceJet chairman, has been elected as the new president of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) on Sunday. The well-known businessman is credited with turning around the fortunes os the airline company and many believe he is the right man for the welfare of India's boxing at this moment.
Singh won by a huge margin in the presidential polls over his closest competitor Rohit Jainendra Jain. While Singh got 49 votes, his competitor could only manage 15 in the election. Singh was representing Uttarakhand. After four years of turmoil, Indian boxing finally has a leader.
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Jay Kawli won the post of the secretary while Hemanta Kalita became the new treasurer. Last year a ‘No Confidence Motion’ against Kawli had been passed.
Indian boxers should be happy that they finally have a leader for their federation after a gap of almost four years. Vijender Singh and MC Mary Kom won the bronze medal in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics respectively, but since then there have not been any laurels in the sport.
With the implementation of the ban on the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF), the sport had been left in a dismal state in the country. In 2012, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) had suspended the IABF for possible manipulation of elections. With no association to organise tournaments, boxing was left reeling in India.
Dismal state of Indian boxing
The Indian boxing situation had been in dire straits over the past few years and the future looked doomed. Uncertainty was encompassed on the sport and no one had any idea of what the future held.
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Five Indian pugilists took part in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, while eight boxers participated in the London Games four years later. The sport was certainly headed for its golden period similar to what badminton and wrestling are going through right now. However, with politics getting involved in the sport in the country, Indian boxing was knocked out into submission.
There was no federation in the country and the pugilists could not represent the nation in international tournaments and World Championships. However, with the new development, the days seem to be getting better for the sport in India.
