Warring factions join hands to float new boxing body

All the 31 state units, who were on the electoral rolls of the National federation in the last elections, have applied for affiliation to the newly floated Boxing Federation of India. The BFI will hold its first meeting on April 16 to decide on the date of venue of elections.

Warring factions have joined hands to form a new boxing federation and ensure Indian boxers' participation in the Olympics.

Following an ultimatum from the International Boxing Association (AIBA) to form a new National federation and hold its elections by May 14, warring factions within the Indian boxing community have joined hands to float a new body, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), and are all set to meet here for its first meeting on April 16.

According to Asit Banerjee, the chairman of AIBA ad-hoc committee's coordination board, all the 31 state units, who were on the electoral rolls of the National federation in the last elections, have applied for affiliation to the BFI.

“Today was the last date for submitting applications for affiliation and all the state units have done that and deposited the dues for membership,” said Banerjee.

Meanwhile, the BFI has initiated the process to get itself registered under the Societies Act, a necessary formality for any National federation, and obtained a provisional no-objection certificate from the Government to use the name 'India'.

“The date and venue of elections will be decided at the first meeting of the BFI here on April 16. We have to conduct the elections as per the AIBA guidelines in order to ensure our boxers' participation in the Rio Olympics,” said Banerjee.