The crisis in the boxing administration continues to rage with the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) president Ajay Singh facing a serious bid to unseat him from the post. A majority of state units met here after the secretary general Pramod Kumar called a Special General Meeting (SGM) for Wednesday to bring a "no-confidence" motion against Singh, according to BFI executive board members.
However, the Punjab and Haryana high court on Tuesday stayed the SGM until its next hearing on November 13.
"As per the constitution of the federation, the president cannot be removed from the office save by a no-confidence motion by the affirmative vote of not less than three-fourth members of the general body at a meeting specially convened for the purpose, and an SGM can be convened only by the president or upon request of two-third members of the executive committee," the court said.
According to Kumar, representatives of 27 of the 35 state units met here. "We are all together. There is overwhelming support from the state units. We will take a collective call on our next course," Pramod Kumar told HT.
He said the members have written to World Boxing, Indian Olympic Association and the sports ministry. "World Boxing has said it is keeping track of the developments," Pramod said.
{{/usCountry}}He said the members have written to World Boxing, Indian Olympic Association and the sports ministry. "World Boxing has said it is keeping track of the developments," Pramod said.
{{/usCountry}}The court order has given Singh at least momentary reprieve. However, an administrative crisis is looming as several members who had supported him have now changed their stance. Singh has faced the heat within BFI for some time. It briefly eased after the elections, but state units point to a breakdown of the governance structure and a lack of support from BFI amid prolonged infighting.
Among those in the camp opposed to Singh include senior vice-president Leonardo D'Gama, a reputed international boxing technical official, executive body member Rajesh Bhandari and BFI treasurer Pon Baskaran have assembled.
While Indian boxers put up a good show at the Asian Games, winning six medals including three gold, the BFI administration has struggled for unity since Singh, who is the SpiceJet chairman, took over for a third term following a fractious election in August last year. Days after the Asian Games, just as Singh was celebrating the Games success, secretary general Kumar issued a notice calling the state units for an SGM to bring a "no-confidence motion" against Singh. Kumar alleged a "total breakdown of trust and serious governance collapse under the leadership of Singh." In an official statement, BFI has termed the SGM unauthorised.
"The sport is suffering. There is no long-term planning for its development. The administration is in a crisis and we need to change it now," D’Gama told HT.
"Nothing is being done for the development of boxers, development of coaches or referees and judges. There are not enough competitions across various age groups. We spoke about organising a boxing league so that boxers could also earn money, but nothing has happened. How can we win medals in the Olympics like this? We are winning medals right now only because the government has been supporting us with funds," said the senior VP, who backed Singh at the election.
"There is not even an office for the federation. The technical officials who conduct domestic tournaments have not been paid TA/DA for four years. I have often raised the issue," he alleged.
Kumar, who is secretary general of the Uttar Pradesh Boxing Association, has been organising most of the domestic competitions, including the senior nationals in Greater Noida, over the last two years under Singh. With several state units miffed with the functioning of BFI's top brass, there have been few takers for domestic competitions.
The members say the "amendments to the BFI constitution" have given Singh more power. They claim that members had objected to the amendments during a virtual meeting, but it was not heard. Matters related to the BFI’s election is already in court.
Surinder Kumar Shandil, general secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Boxing Association, said BFI was not being "run through consensus".
"The BFI president has taken over the powers of the executive board through amendments and by unilaterally taking decisions," he said.
"BFI state units have no funds. The federation made promises but has given nothing to the state units. The BFI itself is in a financial mess. There is no structure, no vision. How can we win medals at the Olympics like this?" he said.
Shandil said state units were struggling financially.
Following the call of SGM, BFI president Singh suspended Kumar on October 13, citing inquiries into alleged financial irregularities and accusing him of trying to destabilise the federation. The following day, Pramod issued a letter announcing Singh's suspension for showing no regard to the "democratic set-up" and treating BFI as a "fiefdom".
"BFI does not even have the recognition of IOA and the sports ministry. The ministry's recognition came for a brief period because we had to host the World Cup," Kumar said.
Eminent boxers call for development roadmap
Meanwhile, several eminent former boxers have called for a development roadmap for Indian boxing. They said the sport needs regular competitions, fair selection, more coaches and an accountable leadership. Dronacharya and Arjuna awardee boxers, including Rajkumar Sangwan, Mohammed Ali Qamar, Manoj Kumar, SR Singh, Anup Singh and Jaypal Singh, among others, held a meeting in Delhi last week.
"We need more competitions at the grassroots level and better facilities for boxers during tournaments. The selection process needs to be fair. Earlier, there used to be a selection committee comprising eminent boxers, and three to four selectors would be present during trials along with the head coach. Now, it is based on rankings. Many boxers have called for a transparent process. These issues need be looked into," said Ali Qamar, the first Indian boxer to win gold at the Commonwealth Games.