New Delhi: The Boxing Federation of India has said that formation of an ad-hoc panel by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to govern the sport is a complete violation of independent governance.
The IOA formed a five-member panel to oversee boxing’s administration after the BFI failed to conduct elections by February 2. In response, the BFI termed the moved illegal and vowed to moved the Delhi High Court to put a stay order on it.
Former Athletics Federation of India (AFI) treasurer Madhukant Pathak has been appointed head of the ad-hoc committee, which has been tasked to conduct elections soon.
The BFI took umbrage of the move, terming it an attempt to prevent autonomous functioning of a national sports federation, which they have informed IOA president PT Usha.
“The BFI strongly condemns the creation of an ad-hoc panel to manage its affairs, calling it illegal and a blatant attempt to violate the autonomy of a National Sports Federation (NSF). This has also been communicated in a letter by President, BFI to President, IOA,” the BFI said in a statement.
“BFI will also be filing a petition for quashing this illegal order before the Hon’ble Delhi High Court immediately. It’s pertinent to also mention a verdict of today, wherein the Hon’ble Delhi High Court annulled the IOA’s decision to form an ad-hock panel for the Bihar Olympic Association.”
‘Surprising and shocking’
The BFI said a process to conduct elections was already in place with the sports ministry aware of the development.
“It is also important to highlight that the correspondence regarding elections of BFI has already commenced with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) on February 2, 2025. The fact that IOA has still chosen to intervene is surprising and shocking,” it wrote.
“IOA did not find it necessary to enquire about the issue with BFI Office or its President before taking such a decision. The IOA has no jurisdiction over the conduct of elections for a NSFs, yet this order has been issued in a manner that clearly questions its intent.”
The BFI also pointed out that the IOA didn’t follow due process as per its constitution to form the ad-hoc panel.
The BFI claimed that “as per Article 21.5 of the IOA constitution, no decision pertaining to NSFs can be made without prior consultation with the parent International Federation, and approval of the IOA Executive Committee. Considering the NSF’s autonomous status, neither of it was done.”
The IOA has formed a five-member panel to oversee boxing’s administration after the BFI failed to conduct elections by February 2. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
