Relief for Indian boxers as AIBA extends deadline for boxing federation elections

New Delhi: The looming threat of Olympic expulsion has ended for Indian boxers after the International Boxing Association (AIBA) agreed to extend the deadline for the formation of a proposed new federation, which took another step forward by getting itself registered as a society. The AIBA had earlier set a 14 May deadline for the formation of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), but has agreed in principle to extend it given the logistics involved. “Seeing the progress that has been made towards constituting the BFI, the AIBA has agreed to extend the deadline from the previously set date. They have not given us any specific fresh deadline, but have assured that our boxers will not be stopped from competing in the Olympics,” a top official told PTI. “AIBA is satisfied with the progress made by the Indian boxing fraternity so far as we have taken many steps together in order to reach this stage; we now have a properly registered federation with 35 out of 36 states/UTs willing to participate,” he added. [caption id=“attachment_274032” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Shiva Thapa is the only Indian boxer to have qualified for the Olympics thus far. AFP[/caption] The AIBA had earlier declared that it would bar Indian boxers from the Olympics if a new national body does not take shape by 14 May. Only one Indian boxer — Shiva Thapa (56kg) — has qualified for Rio Olympics so far, with two more qualifying events — one each for men and women — still to take place. The process of forming the BFI picked up pace after the stakeholders’ meeting in Kolkata last month, after which the sports ministry gave a No Objection Certificate for registering the body besides agreeing to send its observer for the elections, which were previously planned for 8 May. “As per the BFI constitution, we need 21 days’ notice, and as per AIBA statutes, they also need a month’s notice and an electoral college for their scrutiny. So considering all this, I think election may take place by this month end or so,” the official said. The BFI will adhere to the National Sports Code, which puts a cap on the age and tenure of office bearers. In another development, the ad-hoc committee currently running the sport approached Justice (Retd) Mukul Mudgal, who has been overseeing the functioning of Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), to either be the returning officer for the polls or suggest a few names. Mudgal, citing his busy schedule, has chosen to send a few recommendations. “I have told them that I cannot take up the position, but I have given them a few suggestions, the details of which I cannot reveal right now,” Mudgal told PTI. Indian boxing has been in administrative turmoil since 2012 when the erstwhile Indian Amateur Boxing Federation was terminated for manipulation in elections. The body that took shape after that in 2014, Boxing India, also could not run the show and was dissolved by AIBA following a revolt by the state units. The continued tug of war between the administrators had jeopardised the sport to such an extent that Indian boxers were starved of international exposure due to the AIBA-enforced suspension, which has severely affected their overall performance. To put the situation in perspective, a record seven men and one woman boxer had qualified for the Olympics in 2012, while only one has so far made the cut for Rio. Add to this, the Indian boxers have been forced to compete under the AIBA flag instead of the tricolour because of the ongoing situation.