BFI President: Let Courts Rule, Olympic Plans Move Forward

Boxing Federation of India (BFI) president Ajay Singh says the courts will decide the federation dispute while Olympic preparations continue.

Singh made the statement to ANI as a governance row reached the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The dispute centers on the suspension of secretary general Pramod Kumar.

Singh suspended Kumar on October 14 over allegations of financial impropriety and administrative lapses.

Among the allegations are irregularities in sponsorship and broadcasting arrangements.

Singh also cited the cancellation of a national championship in Himachal Pradesh.

He alleged Kumar presented a letter claiming a broadcaster had offered ₹2 crore in sponsorship for the World Boxing Cup Finals in Noida.

Singh said the broadcaster denied issuing that letter.

He also alleged Kumar issued a ₹1.5 crore work order without approval from the president or the finance committee.

Singh said the BFI constitution lets the president suspend an office-bearer during an inquiry, subject to ratification within three months.

Kumar responded by calling a Special General Meeting (SGM) to move a no-confidence motion against Singh.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed that the SGM be kept in abeyance until the next hearing on November 13.

“It’s very sad that the matter has reached the court, but if that’s they want, let it be that way,” Singh told ANI.

“But, we have to focus on the Olympic preparation. We have to focus on boxing. Rest the courts will decide.”

“And we are very confident that the courts will decide in our favour, because the constitution is in front of everyone,” he added.

The dispute escalated on October 28.

A faction of the BFI, claiming the support of 28 state units, met Union Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse.

They sought the ministry’s intervention over alleged governance lapses in the federation.

Eight of the 13 BFI executive committee members were part of the gathering.

That meeting was originally intended to be the SGM for the no-confidence motion.

The faction accused Singh of concentrating powers in his hands, sidelining elected office-bearers and undermining democratic processes.

They questioned changes made to the BFI constitution.

They raised concerns over grassroots development, the competition calendar and pending allowances for technical officials.

Singh dismissed the claim of support from 28 state units.

He questioned the credentials of those present at the meeting.

He insisted that any move against him must follow the procedure laid down in the federation’s constitution.

Singh pointed to the federation’s results to show the merits of his tenure as BFI President.

India finished third at last year’s World Championships.

India finished second behind Kazakhstan at the Asian Championships.

India topped the boxing medal table at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.