Boxers' interest takes a backseat as BFI think tank focuses on office-bearer elections in March

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New Delhi, Feb 19: The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has come under sharp criticism for postponing the Women's National Boxing Championships thrice in the past three months.

While the interest of the boxers takes a backseat, the BFI think tank is busy preparing for elections of office bearers pending since November last.

The women's national championships were supposed to kick start this weekend in Uttar Pradesh, but have been postponed, which has jeopardised the preparations of the competitors. "People running the affairs of boxing in the country, it seems, are amateur. Or have no idea about combat sports," one of the international female boxers from Haryana said on condition of anonymity.

The country's leading boxers including Olympic Games bronze medalist, Lovlina Borgohain are expected to compete in the national championships. The international boxer from the Northern region said it's very challenging to sustain peak performance over a long period. The national championship has been postponed since November, the female boxer added.

"We were all geared up to trade punches with the opponents at the national competition this weekend, but the federation dropped a bombshell saying the national championships had been postponed," the boxer from Haryana revealed. "Till date there is no word from the national governing body of boxing in India about the next competition date."

For the record, the BFI conducted men's national championships in Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh) last month. The national competition is the main platform for all boxers to showcase their potential as the top three or four boxers in each of the weight categories are shortlisted for the national camp to prepare for the international competitions, a senior boxing coach said.

The 2025 season is important as it features both Asian and World Championships. "It will be a challenging task for the boxers to perform up to their potential as the training schedule was rejigged due to the postponing of the national championships," one of the boxing coaches associated with coaching the country's leading female boxer explained.

"Boxers have to maintain body weight to compete in their respective categories. And, frequently changing dates of national competition is not recommended," the boxer rued.

Hemanta Kumar Kalita, whose second term as secretary of BFI was over in November last year, said the national competition will be held next month. "The venue could be either Delhi or Assam," he said over the phone. "Of course, elections of BFI will also be held in March," Kalita added further.

Ajay Singh, chairman of SpiceJet is president of BFI. Singh has completed his two terms as BFI president and is a potential presidential candidate for the third term.