Ajay Singh elected president as new federation takes charge for Indian boxing

After being in the limbo for four years, Indian boxing finally moved towards stability with the smooth conduct of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) elections on Sunday.

After being in the limbo for four years, Indian boxing finally moved towards stability with the smooth conduct of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) elections on Sunday.

Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of Spicejet Airlines, was elected as the president while Jay Kowli was elected the Secretary General, in polls which were labelled fair by AIBA vice-president Edgar Tanner, who was present as the world boxing body’s observer.

However, the absence of an Indian Olympic Association (IOA) observer cast a shadow over the elections as it implies that the issue has not been resolved to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.

AIBA had written two letters to IOA urging it to send an observer to Sunday’s polls and also persuaded IOC to write to IOA.

Two years ago, the IOA had refused to recognise Boxing India, which derailed the boxing association.

However, the newly elected body is confident that it was on solid ground and that Indian boxers will not suffer further.

“We don’t think there should be a problem (with IOA not sending an observer). The elections have been conducted under the aegis of AIBA, whose representative is here along with a Government of India representative (Sports Authority of India Director Sushmita Jyotsi). With AIBA taking the lead… we should be on solid ground.

“Last time it was different as AIBA had not given recognition to Boxing India nor had it been involved in conducting the elections. I don’t think there is any legal requirement for their recognition now, but we will persuade them nevertheless. I don’t see why there should be an objection to a body which has been elected by every state in India,” Singh said.

It is learnt that AIBA could grant affiliation to BFI when they have their congress in December.