After two years in exile, India’s boxing federation has been brought in from the cold as it was unanimously voted back into the International Boxing Association (AIBA) last week.
Having been provisionally suspended in December 2012 for ‘possible manipulation’ in the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation’s elections, the country’s sporting body set up a new authority – Boxing India (BI) – under the supervision of the AIBA.
Elections were successfully completed in September 2014 and as of November, the country returned to the international fold.
Boxing India President, Sandeep Jajodia, said in a statement: “We are extremely delighted to be unanimously accepted as the permanent Member of AIBA, at the ongoing AIBA quadrennial Congress at Jeju Island, South Korea.
“Boxing India carries the aspiration of the nation and will do its utmost to enable India win global acclaim in Boxing.
“We will work hard to promote boxing in the country and endeavour to make it the most viewed sport in the nation while focusing on replenishing and further developing the boxing economy of the region.”
BI was earlier granted provisional recognition by AIBA after the elections but is still to get the approval from the Sports Ministry and the Indian Olympic Association.
“Our immediate step now would be to get recognition from Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and membership from IOA,” Jajodia added.
BI Secretary General Jay Kowli, also praised the election results and said the renewed membership would allow the country to continue developing the sport.
“It is indeed a great development for Indian boxing and will enable in streamlining the boxing activities,” he said.
“Boxing is a priority sport in India and in sports, we all fall down but it’s about getting back up and Boxing India is gearing up to immediately kick off all boxing programs with AIBA for training, development and competitions.
“We will also strengthen our presence in the other formats of the competition – AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) and World Series of Boxing (WSB), as this will provide good exposure to our pugilists and will enhance their performance.”
