NEW DELHI: The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) on Wednesday went ahead with the first phase of its evaluation test process despite objections from the Sports Authority of India (SAI), saying the inclusion of head coaches in the selection panel was “necessary and inevitable”.“Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Evaluation Tests (Selection Trials), aimed at selecting India’s boxing squad for the upcoming CWG in Glasgow Asian Games In Japan, the NS NIS began with a series of rigorous strength and conditioning assessments in Patiala. Elite male and female boxers underwent tests such as ‘Counter Movement Jump (CMJ), Mine Throwing Test, 30 Second Watt Bike Test, and Intermittent Fitness Test (IFT)’ to assess their physical fitness.
The rigorous routines conducted in the morning and evening sessions are designed to prepare the players for the decisive knockout bouts from May 11 to 15, after which the final squads will be announced.The move comes a day after the SAI raised concerns over the BFI’s selection criteria and evaluation framework, warning that the process could be labeled “flawed” if key details were not provided. The federation submitted its detailed response on Wednesday, explaining its evaluation schedule, evaluation process and structure of the national coaching camp. TOI has a copy of the BFI mail to SAI’s TOPS division.The BFI maintained that it has fully complied with the Sports Ministry selection guidelines issued on March 5, 2025. The federation said its High Performance Unit (HPU) consists of foreign coach Santiago Nava, head coach CA Katpa, and four internationally certified referee judges. He also clarified that the sports science staff will have no role during the final evaluation phase.The selection committee will include president Ajay Singh, general secretary Pramod Kumar, coaches Niwa and Kattappa, and Outstanding Merit (SOM) players Rajendra Prasad and V Devarajan, the BFI said. The federation emphasized that the inclusion of head coaches ensures “informed and performance-based decision-making”.However, sources indicated that SAI’s concerns still remain over potential bias if camp-based coaches evaluate athletes they have previously trained or selected. “The process should face challenges from players, courts and regulatory bodies,” a source said, adding that differences in the framework could invite future disputes.
