BFI Faction Seeks Ajay Singh’s Ouster, Cites Governance Concerns

A group representing 27 state units of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has formally approached Union Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse, calling for the removal of BFI President Ajay Singh. The faction, which includes several key executive committee members, cited concerns regarding governance, lack of transparency, and administrative lapses.

Key Issues Raised by the Faction

• Governance Allegations: The group claims power is concentrated in the hands of the President, sidelining elected office-bearers and undermining democratic processes.
• Financial and Administrative Claims: Representatives allege that technical officials have not received travel and daily allowances for years and that national medallists have not received promised cash rewards.
• Operational Concerns: State members expressed frustration over the absence of a clear competition calendar and a lack of grassroots development initiatives.
• Constitutional Dispute: The group alleges that the BFI constitution was revised without proper scrutiny or member input.

Context and Current Status

The representatives intended to hold a Special General Meeting (SGM) to propose a no-confidence motion, but the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the meeting to be kept in abeyance until November 13. While the dissenting faction claims majority support, the BFI leadership issued a statement noting that 21 of its 35 authorised state units participated in a separate two-day 'Mission Olympic Podium' meeting in Bagdogra, West Bengal, emphasizing an athlete-first approach.

The memorandum detailing these grievances has been submitted to the Sports Ministry, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and World Boxing President Gennadiy Golovkin. Stakeholders can verify official communications through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports or the BFI's official portal.