Has BFI Announced a Prize Money of Rs 17.5 Lakh for World Boxing Cup Medallists?

New Delhi, July 24 (NationPress) The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has unveiled an impressive prize pool of Rs 17.5 lakh to honor the 17 Indian boxers who secured medals at the recent legs of the World Boxing Cup held in Brazil and Kazakhstan.

Gold medallists will receive Rs 2 lakh each, while silver medallists will be awarded Rs 1 lakh, and bronze winners will take home Rs 50,000. This initiative comes as India gears up for the World Boxing Cup Finals scheduled to take place in New Delhi later this year.

This announcement is particularly timely as India’s national core group engages in rigorous training at the Patiala camp in preparation for two major international competitions: the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool in September, followed by the World Boxing Cup Finals on home soil.

In a significant collaboration, the BFI has been approached by China to explore a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing boxing at junior, sub-junior, and elite levels, which may include joint training camps and sparring exchanges.

Commenting on the boxers' achievements and the future ahead, BFI president and chairman of the Interim Committee, Ajay Singh, remarked, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our boxers for their outstanding performances on the global stage. Our efforts are yielding results. India has made a significant impact in the first two cups and ranks fifth worldwide. It’s a matter of great pride. At these championships, we receive numerous accolades for India’s exemplary performance in boxing. Our discussions with China about a strategic relationship in boxing development reflect the global respect for Indian boxing.”

“However, this is only the beginning. We have many future stars like Mary Kom and Vijender Singh waiting to be nurtured and prepared for the biggest stages, including the Olympics,” he added.

The dual events of the World Boxing Cup led to India securing a total of 17 medals, comprising 4 golds, with noteworthy performances from Sakshi (54kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), and Nupur (80+kg) in Astana, along with Hitesh Gulia (70kg) in Brazil. Remarkably, both Hitesh and Abhinash Jamwal (65kg) won medals at both venues - Hitesh bagged a gold and silver while Abhinash earned two silvers, showcasing their consistency across weight categories.

In addition to the gold medallists, India’s medal tally also included silvers for Pooja Rani (80kg), Minakshi (48kg), Jugnoo (85kg), and Hitesh and Abhinash in Astana, while Sanju (60kg), Nikhil Dubey (75kg), and Narender (90+kg) clinched bronze medals. From the Brazil leg, bronze medals were also earned by Jadumani Singh (50kg), Manish Rathore (55kg), Sachin Siwach (60kg), and Vishal (90kg).

At the ceremony, guest of honour Vijender Singh, India's first Olympic boxing medallist, stated, “You all have performed exceptionally well, both boys and girls. We must continue striving. Life presents numerous challenges, and we must forge ahead, always seeking greater success.”

This recognition underscores the Federation's ongoing commitment to reward excellence and develop a robust international boxing ecosystem in India, characterized by depth, structure, and continuity. Earlier this year, India achieved a remarkable medal haul at the Asian Boxing U-15 and U-17 Championships, highlighting the strength of its talent pipeline. At the Thailand Open, India’s secondary and tertiary boxers also shone, exemplifying the bench strength across various categories.

Domestically, the recently concluded Elite Women’s Boxing Tournament in Telangana provided high-quality exposure for top contenders and served as a platform for identifying the next generation of national talent.