Boxing Federation of India (BFI) Joins World Boxing: A Move to Safeguard Olympic Future
In a decisive move, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has severed ties with the embattled International Boxing Association (IBA) and joined forces with the newly formed World Boxing (WB), a breakaway organization aiming to restore the sport's integrity and secure its place in the Olympic Games.
This strategic shift follows the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) stern warning to potentially exclude boxing from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if national federations continued their affiliation with the IBA. This ultimatum underscored the pressing need for the boxing community to take decisive action to address the concerns raised by the IOC.
Preserving boxing's Olympic status is paramount to its long-term viability, asserted BFI President Ajay Singh, expressing his enthusiasm for the collaboration with WB. Singh anticipates a fruitful partnership with the WB Executive Board in shaping the future of boxing and creating a brighter path for boxers worldwide.
World Boxing, helmed by former IBA presidential candidate Boris van der Vorst, was established in April 2023 with the express purpose of ensuring boxing's continued presence in the Olympic movement. The BFI's membership application, approved by its General Assembly, will be formally ratified by the WB Executive Board.
India's prominence in international boxing makes it a significant addition to our growing World Boxing family, remarked Van der Vorst, highlighting the strategic importance of the partnership. We eagerly anticipate working closely with the BFI to achieve our shared goals.
On May 7, WB held its inaugural formal meeting with the IOC, a milestone that initiated a collaborative effort to establish a path for boxing to retain its Olympic status.
The IOC had previously de-recognized the IBA in 2019 due to unresolved issues related to financial irregularities, sports integrity, and governance concerns. As a result, boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be overseen directly by the IOC, marking the second consecutive mega-event where the IBA will be sidelined.
The BFI's affiliation with WB represents a bold step towards addressing the challenges confronting the sport and ensuring its long-term health. By aligning with an organization dedicated to restoring boxing's credibility and Olympic future, the BFI sends a clear message of its commitment to integrity and the betterment of the sport.
