New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday stayed an Indian Olympic Association (IOA) order to appoint an ad-hoc committee to manage and look after the daily affairs of the ‘boxing’ sport in the country in place of Boxing Federation of India (BFI), the apex federation in India for the combat sport.
On February 24, IOA president PT Usha replaced the BFI with an ad-hoc panel because the federation failed to conduct elections by the due date, which was February 2. IOA president PT Usha had signed the order.
Court’s Ruling
Presenting its plea before Justice Sachin Datta, the BFI emphasised on the importance of being an independent and autonomous body, which is governed by its own constitution, rules and regulations, as reported by The Indian Express.
The BFI alleged that the IOA order was issued without the prior notice or discussion to the national sports federation, citing violation of the principles of natural justice. The national body also presented that the IOA move against them wasn’t a great precedent for the governance of other sports federations in the country.
Justice Datta has issued notice to the IOA and the Sports Ministry, seeking their response on the matter, which is now posted for consideration on March 27. The judiciary official also directed the BFI to hold elections within a span of three months. In case of failure, the IOA would be permitted to take a disciplinary action.
“BFI will conduct the elections within the next 45 days from today,” a federation spokesperson told The Indian Express.
The World Boxing Cup finals and the World Boxing Congress in 2025 will be held in 2025 in New Delhi later in the year. The elite boxing event will be the culmination of three World Boxing Cups (which will be staged earlier in the year) and it will take place in November.
The Delhi High Court temporarily blocked the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) decision to replace the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) with an ad-hoc committee. The BFI challenged the IOA’s action, claiming it violated principles of natural justice and set a poor precedent. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
