In a significant development for Indian boxing, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has parted ways with the suspended International Boxing Association (IBA) and joined the newly formed World Boxing. This strategic move, announced on May 31, 2024, aims to secure the sport’s position in future Olympic Games.
Boxing Federation of India takes World Boxing’s membership
The BFI’s decision comes in the wake of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) concerns about the IBA’s governance and financial management. The IOC had de-recognized the IBA in 2019 over long-standing financial, sports integrity, and governance issues. Boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics is set to be overseen by the IOC, marking the second successive time, after the Tokyo Olympics, that the IBA will have no involvement in bouts at the mega-event.
World Boxing, launched in April 2023, aims to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement. The BFI’s membership application was approved by the BFI’s General Assembly and will be ratified by World Boxing’s Executive Board. This move ensures Indian boxers have a platform to compete at the highest level.
BFI President Ajay Singh expressed his delight at joining World Boxing, stating, “It is absolutely vital to the sustainability of boxing that it retains its Olympics status, so we are delighted to join World Boxing and look forward to working closely with the Executive Board and our fellow members to shape the future development of the sport and deliver a brighter future for boxers across the world.”
The BFI’s decision aligns with the IOC’s directive to all National Federations. The IOC has made it clear that if they want boxers from their country to have the opportunity to compete at future Olympic Games, they must now join World Boxing. This is the only path that will see boxing remain in the Olympic Games after Paris 2024.
We are pleased to announce that the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) is joining World Boxing.
The BFI aims to play a leading role in establishing an Asian Confederation and drive the recruitment of other National Federations in the region.
Find out more: https://t.co/ZxXAgJaDXt pic.twitter.com/mHXcgFdCgO
— WORLD BOXING (@RealWorldBoxing) May 31, 2024
World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst welcomed the BFI into the growing World Boxing family, stating, “India is a very important country in international boxing and we look forward to welcoming the BFI into the growing World Boxing family. This is a very exciting development which will significantly increase our presence in Asia and I look forward to working closely with the BFI in delivering our common goals.”
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