Boxing Federation of India

Boxing Federation of India is the official national governing body for amateur boxing in India.[1] It is a member of World Boxing.[2] BFI is headquartered in New Delhi.[3]

The Boxing Federation of India
SportBoxing
Jurisdiction India
AbbreviationBFI
AffiliationWorld Boxing
Regional affiliationAsian Boxing Confederation
PresidentAjay Singh
SecretaryHemanta Kumar Kalita
Official website
boxingfederation.in
India

History

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In 1925, the first governing body for boxing in India, Bombay Presidency Amateur Boxing Federation was formed in Mumbai.[4] Mostly due to the efforts of H.V.Pointon, the President of the Bombay Presidency Amateur Boxing Federation (1944–48), Indian Amateur Boxing Federation was founded on February 25, 1949.[4] Major F.G.Baker became the first secretary at the inaugural meeting at the Governor's Pavilion of the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai. Bombay (Mumbai) became the headquarters of the body. The first national championships were held at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai in March 1950.

Indian Boxing Federation was also known as Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) and was suspended by the International Amateur Boxing Association in 2014,[5] following which BFI was recognised as the recognised body.[1]

Background

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The IBF comprises about 6000 registered Indian boxers and it maintains records of their personal and professional details which includes their achievements, medals won and championships participated. Registration to the IBF and possessing an identity card are mandatory for each boxer for participating in any championship organized by it.

The Indian Boxing Federation records are fully digitized. Its website is updated on a daily basis. The facility for online display of the live score of each championship conducted by it is available on its website, which is also availed by all of its affiliated state federations, boards, and units. Its website also provides information about the affiliated state federations, all registered male and female boxers and officials, coaches, and its training centers.

In November 2011 Indian Boxing Federation offered Arash Hashemi of Las Vegas, an Iranian descent and a former member of the 1996 United States of America Boxing Federation to coach the Olympic team, Hashemi rejected the tempting offer saying, "I am an Iranian/American and love my country and people. Hashemi feared they might face an Iranian or an American opponent in major tournaments. Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu, the national coach for about two decades has decided to hang his boots after the London Olympics.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Delhi High Court upholds Boxing Federation of India as only recognised national body for boxing". The Free Press Journal. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Boxing Federation of India agrees to join World Boxing". World Boxing. 31 May 2024. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Office Bearers of BFIBoxing Federation of India". Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  4. ^ a b Venkat, Rahul (2023-03-31). "History of boxing in India: From a staggered start to a global powerhouse". www.olympics.com.
  5. ^ Indian Boxing Federation suspended by International body, Sports Ministry asks for re-election
  6. ^ "Boxing coach Sandhu to retire after London Olympics". 10 July 2012.
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