New Delhi: In order to ensure the BFI's postponed elections are held as soon as possible, the union sports ministry and World Boxing (WB) have both sent separate instructions to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The interim committee of the BFI, in accordance with the world body's instruction to hold the elections by August 31, is getting ready to start the election process, according to sources.

On February 2, the BFI executive committee's tenure came to an end. Due to the numerous lawsuits brought by various BFI affiliates contesting the procedure, the election, which was planned for March 28, could not take place. An interim committee was formed on April 7 at the order of WB to supervise the administration of boxing in the nation for a period of no more than 90 days.

In order to address the "administrative vacuum" in BFI caused by the delay in holding elections to the boxing organization, the sports ministry has written to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to request that they be conducted as soon as possible.

“World Boxing's interim committee, which was established for a 90-day period, is almost at the end of its term. The challenges pertaining to the election of BFI remain unsolved, though. In its July 5 letter to IOA president PT Usha, the sports ministry stated that this prolonged delay has resulted in an administrative vacuum in the BFI, which is having an impact on the governance and growth of the sport in the nation.

The ministry asked IOA "to devise a mechanism providing a suitable way forward, in consultation with World Boxing, to ensure that the elections are held at the earliest in accordance with the provisions of the National Sports Code and bylaws of BFI."

"In view of the wider interest of the sports and sportspersons involved, the ministry asks IOA to take immediate action in this regard and keep this ministry informed of any developments," it stated. HT has a duplicate of the letter.

While visiting the IOC headquarters in Lausanne as part of India's attempt to host the 2036 Olympics, Usha met with WB President Boris van der Vorst on June 30. Boris described their conversation about Indian boxing as "productive and insightful." "We specifically talked about the initiatives being led by the interim committee to bring order and clarity to BFI's functioning," he wrote on July 7.

In line with the "Athletes First" policy, it was reaffirmed that no athlete should experience hardship as a result of administrative ambiguities. With this in mind, WB extended the interim panel's tenure to ensure that Indian boxers may participate in the next domestic and continental tournaments without incident. The committee was urged to start and finish the electoral process by the end of August.

However, it won't be simple because there are several lawsuits pertaining to the elections. With former union minister Anurag Thakur joining the race for the presidency against SpiceJet chairman and current Ajay Singh, who is running for a third term, the polls became more clear. His selection from Himachal Pradesh caused a furor, which resulted in court proceedings and administrative upheaval. On April 14, the returning officer who was in charge of the election process quit.

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