New Delhi, Feb 26: India's first and only male Olympic boxing medalist, Vijender Singh, has urged "fresh and fair" elections in the embattled national boxing federation. The 39-year-old has also expressed his willingness to step up as a candidate if given an opportunity.
Vijender, who scripted history with a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has since transitioned into professional boxing but has not competed since 2022. Speaking about the ongoing crisis in the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), he stated, “I would like to stand for the elections whenever they happen. I have fought all my life, and this would be another fight for me. I have no idea whether I will find support, but I am not afraid to place myself out there.”
Emphasizing the need for a structured and efficient boxing administration, he took to social media to highlight the importance of international training opportunities for Indian boxers. “For our boxers to perform well, training abroad is crucial. We need fresh and fair elections ASAP to build a strong federation. I will be more than happy to contribute my experience if given any responsibility by our government,” he posted on X, tagging the Prime Minister’s Office and Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
His remarks come in the wake of the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) decision to hand over the administration of Indian boxing to an ad-hoc committee, citing delays in BFI elections. The tenure of the Ajay Singh-led BFI ended on February 3, and its leadership has vowed to challenge the IOA’s move in the Delhi High Court, terming it illegal.
The administrative turmoil has taken a toll on Indian boxing, affecting training and international participation. With the country recovering from a medal-less Olympic campaign, Indian boxers have been absent from global competitions, and the national women’s championship has faced repeated delays. The latest setback was missing the prestigious Strandja Memorial Tournament in Bulgaria.
The IOA’s five-member ad-hoc panel, led by former Athletics Federation of India treasurer Madhukant Pathak, oversees boxing administration until fresh elections are conducted. The committee includes long-standing boxing officials Rajesh Bhandari (vice-chairman), DP Bhatt, Virendra Singh Thakur, and former Asian champion Shiva Thapa as the players' representative.
Beyond the boxing ring, Vijender has also been active in politics. After turning professional in 2015, the Khel Ratna awardee contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with the Congress before switching allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) last year.
With uncertainty looming over Indian boxing, Vijender’s call for a revamped federation resonates strongly with the growing concerns of the boxing fraternity. Whether he takes an active role in shaping the future of the sport remains to be seen.
Last updated by a enewsx: