BFI chief accuses state bodies of stopping boxers from competing in Nationals

Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh has alleged that the suspended secretary general Hemanta Kalita is trying to stop boxers, including Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain, from competing at the Nationals. A day after suspending Kalita and treasurer Digvijay Singh over corruption charges, Singh said the sport should not be affected due to politics.

The Elite Women’s Senior National Boxing Championships will be held in Greater Noida on March 21-27. “Lovlina had announced via a video that she was keen to take part in the Nationals but now we are hearing that it is unlikely. The state body (Assam) is stopping their boxers from taking part. We are also hearing that a few other associations too are stopping boxers,” Singh said. “I will pay for each one of those boxers to come and participate in the Nationals. We will provide them the tickets, the hotels, and whatever else is required. We also have a helpline number (7003191553) where boxers can call and we will make the arrangements for them,” he added.

Singh on Tuesday had suspended the two BFI officials based on the inquiry report of Justice (retd) Sudhir Kumar Jain. The BFI president denied that these developments were politically motivated. “The decision to inquire about the allegations was supported by both of them. It is all in the minutes of the meeting. I decided to seek Justice Jain as we had to have an independent inquiry. Once the report was submitted, I had to take action as it is a matter of maintaining the federation’s credibility,” Singh said.