BFI Chief Ajay Singh Takes Stand Against Politics, Pledges Full Support to Boxers Facing State-Level Hurdles

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The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has come out strongly against state associations preventing athletes from competing in the upcoming Senior National Championships.

BFI President Ajay Singh has condemned these politically motivated actions, labelling them a “grave disservice” to the sport. In a significant move to counter these obstacles, Singh has assured full financial support to all affected boxers, covering their travel, accommodation, and any other necessary expenses.

“If any state federation is stopping their boxers or cancelling their tickets or arrangements, the Boxing Federation of India and I personally will pay for each one of those boxers to come and participate in the Nationals. We will provide them the tickets, the hotels, and whatever else is required,” Singh announced at a press conference on Wednesday.

To facilitate this, BFI has launched a dedicated helpline (7003191553, 9050080068), allowing affected boxers to directly reach out for assistance. “Boxers can call this number, and we will make the arrangements for them,” Singh affirmed, ensuring that no athlete would be left stranded due to state-level interference.

Politics Overshadows Boxing Nationals

The Elite Women’s Senior National Boxing Championships, scheduled to take place in Greater Noida from March 21-27, has become embroiled in federation politics. The controversy comes in the wake of the recent suspension of BFI General Secretary Hemanta Kumar Kalita and Treasurer Digvijay Singh. Following an inquiry led by Hon’ble Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain, both officials were found guilty of corruption and abuse of power, leading to disciplinary action.

Singh made it clear that these suspensions were not politically motivated but were necessary to uphold the integrity of the BFI. “On the basis of that report, I have suspended the Secretary General and the Treasurer from their current responsibilities, and it is with the deepest regret that we need to take those actions to restore or maintain the credibility of the Federation that I happen to be president of at this point in time,” he stated.

He further criticised the actions of the Assam Boxing Federation, holding them accountable for blocking players from participating in the Nationals. “I must highlight this, especially for my friends from Assam who are present here—their team is being blocked from attending the national championships. In my view, Mr. Kalita and the Federation in Assam are responsible for this obstruction,” Singh asserted.

Call to Keep Politics Out of the Ring

Singh underscored the need to separate federation politics from the sport itself, urging all stakeholders to prioritise the interests of the athletes. “Politics is one thing—everyone has the right to contest elections and have political differences—but preventing athletes from competing in a national championship is a great disservice to the sport. This is something we must all stand against,” he emphasised.

Singh’s strong words come at a critical time as the BFI heads towards its elections. While the leadership battle intensifies, the primary concern remains ensuring that deserving athletes are not sidelined due to political infighting.

BFI’s Contributions Under Singh’s Leadership

Singh also took the opportunity to highlight the achievements of Indian boxing under his tenure. He noted that India has made remarkable progress on the global stage, hosting three world championships and two International Boxing Association (IBA) Congresses. Under his leadership, the country’s boxing ranking has soared from 44th to 4th in the world.

The financial backing for Indian boxing has also seen a dramatic increase, with Singh himself and his company contributing over ₹20 crores to the sport. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring Indian boxing continues to thrive.

Additionally, Singh pointed out that all 54 domestic and international tournaments organised under his leadership have met the highest professional standards, strengthening India’s reputation as a global hub for boxing.

Historic Success in Women’s Boxing

One of the standout achievements of Singh’s tenure has been India’s stellar performance in women’s boxing. At the Women’s World Championship held in New Delhi, India secured an unprecedented four gold medals. “We have won a record number of medals in all forms of championships. In the last Women’s World Championship, India won four gold medals, which is something we have never done before,” Singh proudly stated.

He reiterated that his involvement in boxing is driven purely by a passion for the sport and a desire to see Indian athletes excel. “My only motivation is to grow Indian boxing. This is not about personal gain,” he concluded.

With the Senior National Championships around the corner, the BFI’s intervention will ensure that no boxer is unfairly excluded from competing. The helpline and financial backing announced by Singh send a strong message that the Federation stands firmly with its athletes, regardless of state-level politics.

As Indian boxing continues its ascent on the global stage, the focus must remain on nurturing talent and providing boxers with the opportunities they deserve, free from political roadblocks. Singh’s firm stance signals a crucial moment for the sport, reaffirming that the BFI will not tolerate any actions that hinder the growth of Indian boxing.