IOA Establishes Adhoc Committee to Oversee BFI Elections

Synopsis

The Indian Olympic Association has formed a five-member Adhoc Committee, including Shiva Thapa, to oversee the Boxing Federation of India amid election delays and complaints of mismanagement. The committee will manage daily operations and expedite the election process.

Key Takeaways

IOA has formed an Adhoc Committee for BFI.
Committee includes senior boxer Shiva Thapa.
Immediate actions to resolve grievances are prioritized.
Elections for BFI were delayed due to legal issues.
Committee must operate independently and document actions.

New Delhi, Feb 24 (NationPress) In light of the postponed elections for the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) and escalating concerns regarding mismanagement, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has appointed a five-member Adhoc Committee led by senior boxer Shiva Thapa to oversee the day-to-day operations of the organization until all matters are settled.

This committee includes administrators Madhukant Pathak, Rajesh Bhandari, Dr. D.P Bhatt, and Virendra Singh Thakur. Their responsibilities will include taking immediate actions to resolve grievances raised by the boxing community, ensuring athlete participation in upcoming international events, and organizing the BFI elections as swiftly as possible.

The IOA noted that the current BFI office-bearers' term expired on February 2, but elections were stalled due to an ongoing legal dispute surrounding previous elections that resulted in unfavorable rulings for the BFI.

IOA President PT Usha stated in a letter, “The IOA has been monitoring the administrative dynamics of the BFI closely. According to established regulations, IBF elections were due by February 2, 2025. Nonetheless, the elections have not taken place, leading to administrative turmoil within the federation.”

Usha further mentioned that numerous office-bearers and athletes have reached out to her, voicing their concerns regarding the election delays.

“This office has received a multitude of complaints from stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, and relevant authorities, concerning the non-participation of Indian boxers in significant national and international events in recent months. This scenario is harmful to the advancement and performance of Indian boxing globally and requires urgent remedial action,” Usha emphasized in her directive.

In her directive, Usha stated, "The Adhoc Committee must operate in a neutral and independent capacity, avoiding any conflicts of interest. All measures taken must be recorded, and documentation should be maintained for audit and review purposes."

"The Adhoc Committee is tasked with issuing the election notice and schedule in accordance with BFI's Constitution and current regulatory standards, as well as appointing a returning officer and an independent election observer to supervise the electoral process," Usha's letter indicated.

The IOA letter also clarified, "The Adhoc Committee will be responsible for verifying the details of all affiliated State Boxing Associations and compiling an accurate list of office-bearers from these associations."

The IOA confirmed that this order would take effect immediately.