Did Ajay Singh Resign as BFI Chair to Run for Elections?

New Delhi, Aug 2 (NationPress) The Interim Committee Chairman of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), Ajay Singh, has officially resigned from his position to participate in the upcoming electoral process.

The long-awaited BFI elections, which had been postponed for several months, are now confirmed to take place on August 21, as announced by the Interim Committee on Friday.

In a letter dated August 1 directed to World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst, Singh expressed: “As you know, the Interim Committee of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), appointed by World Boxing, has diligently fulfilled its duties as per the mandate given to it.

The committee has ensured seamless operation of the federation while maintaining governance standards during this transition period.

I am pleased to announce that BFI elections have now been officially scheduled for August 21, 2025.

As I plan to contest in these upcoming elections, I believe it is both fair and transparent for me to resign as Chairman of the Interim Committee effective immediately.”

Following his resignation, World Boxing appointed Fairuz Mohammed, the President of Singapore Boxing and an observer for the organization, as the new Interim Committee Chairman.

“We respect this decision and hereby appoint Mr. Fairuz Mohammed to ensure continuity until a new body is elected,” van der Vorst stated in his official response to Singh.

To guarantee transparency in the electoral process, World Boxing confirmed that both President Boris van der Vorst and Acting Secretary General Mike McAtee will be present in Delhi as official observers during the elections.

“Additionally, I, along with Mr. Mike McAtee, will be in India on August 21, 2025, to serve as observers for the BFI elections,” van der Vorst added.

Ajay Singh has previously completed two four-year terms as BFI President and is now aiming for a third and final term, as permitted under the 2011 National Sports Development Code of India.

After several months of uncertainty, legal disputes, and interim management, the elections on August 21 signify a much-anticipated return to democratically elected leadership in Indian boxing.

According to a circular issued by Singh, the federation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will commence at 11:00 AM and will include elections for key positions for the 2025–2029 term. All member state units and Union Territories are required to submit the names of two representatives by 5:00 PM on Monday. The agenda will also cover confirmation of minutes from the previous AGM and other matters, pending the Chair’s approval.

Originally, the BFI elections were set for March 28, but were delayed due to legal conflicts and internal disagreements. In response, World Boxing appointed a six-member Interim Committee, led by Ajay Singh, on April 7, to manage the federation's day-to-day operations and address the ongoing issues.

The committee was appointed “with immediate effect for a period not exceeding 90 days,” but its term was extended with a renewed mandate to conduct elections by August 31, in line with World Boxing's deadline.