New Delhi: Indian boxing has been mired in administrative turmoil in a year when it should have focused on preparations for two major multi-sport events – the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and Asian Games Aichi in Nagoya, Japan. Instead, the sport is now mired in a bitter standoff between the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), leaving the country’s elite boxers uncertain about their future and selection prospects.Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!The latest flashpoint came on Sunday when the SAI directed the BFI to hold off on the proposed evaluation tests – effectively the final selection trials for the CWG and Asian Games squads – until further orders. The trials, originally scheduled from May 11 to 15 and later shortened to May 11-13 at NS NIS Patiala, are now suspended.
The move has fueled an escalating dispute between the two governing bodies over selection policies, evaluation criteria, the composition of the selection committee, and the roster of coaches and support staff. While the SAI has questioned the transparency and fairness of the BFI’s proposed evaluation system, the federation has maintained that all procedures were shared and approved with the SAI during the Annual Training and Competition Calendar (ACTC) meetings.However, SAI remains unconvinced.In a strongly worded communication sent to the BFI leadership by TOPS CEO NS Johal’s office on Sunday, the SAI raised several objections about the federation’s assessment framework. A copy of the communication is with TOI.According to the Mail, the SAI pointed out that “details about the evaluation process and the metrics proposed for the technical and strategic aspects have not been clarified till date.” It has also sought details of the High Performance Unit (HPU), including the names, qualifications and credentials of those who will be involved in testing the players during the national camp.The communication also questioned the proposed list of coaches and support staff identified for the camp, the criteria used by the BFI Coaches Commission to select them, and whether any coach associated with the national camp was also part of the selection or evaluation process – something SAI had earlier warned against to avoid bias and conflict of interest.The authority further clarified that the expenses related to conducting trials or assessment shall be borne entirely by the National Sports Federation (NSF).“In view of non-provision of required information by BFI even after a week of previous correspondence, and in view of lack of transparent and fair system for holding trials for team selection, you are directed not to proceed with assessment/trials till further orders,” the communication added.The controversy has also reignited tensions surrounding the second Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Cup to be held at ASI, Pune from March 30 to April 5. The tournament was designated by the BFI as the official pathway to the national camp, with gold and silver medalists in 20 categories qualifying directly for the final trials.But the SAI refused to recognize the event, calling it a “closed-door” competition. As a result, around 40 medal-winning boxers have been effectively excluded from the selection process.Several medalists are now preparing to approach him. Delhi High Courtdemanding a fair chance to participate in trials and compete for national selections.Among those who expressed disappointment were 2021 World Championship silver medalist Deepak Bhuriya and reigning Asian champion Sanjeet, who both won medals at the COAS Cup. “I am tired and disappointed as a player,” Bhuriya and Sanjeet said in a joint statement. The BFI had said the COAS Cup gold and silver medalists will join the national camp and be part of the CWG and Asian Games route. I won a gold medal in the COAS Cup, but there is still no clarity about the list of medal winners and the selection process.“
