The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has become a member of World Boxing (WB), a recently established organization that aims to secure backing and guarantee boxing's inclusion in the Olympic program in the event that the sport does not have an IOC-recognized regulatory body.
After a protracted disagreement over management, Russian financing, and bout integrity, the IOC decertified the International Boxing Association (IBA) last year, casting doubt on boxing's continued status as an Olympic sport. The sport isn't yet scheduled for the LA 28 Olympics. IBA had appealed the IOC ruling to the Court of Arbitration. The IOC's ruling was affirmed by CAS in April, stating that IBA had not complied with the IOC's requirements for recognition. With India becoming a part of the IOC-'promoted' World Boxing, the flight of Asian boxing federations is only going to get worse.
"In the modern world of boxing, India is one of the major powers. Ajay Singh, head of the Boxing Federation of India, stated, "It is evident in all of our discussions with international boxing and the IOC that the IOC wants to start over. "A new global body is what they desire. It is our duty to make sure that this organization is strengthened and that more nations join this federation, as it is an organization that the IOC actively supports and promotes."
Singh was speaking from Bangkok, where the World Boxing Qualifiers for the Olympics in Paris are being hosted by an IOC taskforce. He stated that boxing has to stay on the Olympic schedule. "Our boxers all aspire to be Olympians. For them, the sport provides a living as well. Boxing's Olympic status is very essential to its long-term viability. We are thrilled to be a part of World Boxing and we're looking forward to collaborating closely with the executive board to help shape the sport's future growth," he stated.
The president of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, met with Singh multiple times during his May tour to India. Boxing has to be added to the schedule within a certain time range. Obtaining temporary recognition is important before the year ends. According to Boris, boxing needs to be included for LA by the start of 2025. But according to Singh, India will stay a member of the IBA and participate in IBA competitions until international boxing establishes a suitable framework for competition. "IBA will continue to hold championship events, and we are well aware that our fighters will be eligible to compete in these events. We can't deny our fighters," he declared.
