NEW DELHI: The Boxing Federation of India, which had been scheduled to conduct elections at its December 18 Annual General Meeting, has postponed them citing the COVID-19 pandemic.
The AGM was to take place at the federation headquarters in Gurugram but “a majority of the state associations” sought a postponement citing the pandemic. The elections were originally scheduled in September but were put off due to the pandemic even at that time, PTI reports.
“…state associations of BFI have written to the Ld. Returning Officer, Justice Rajesh Tandon, appointed to conduct the elections requesting the Ld RO to postpone the elections due to the ongoing pandemic,” BFI president Ajay Singh, stated in a letter (accessed by the newswire) sent across to presidents and secretaries of all affiliated states and units of the body.
The BFI needs to get its elections done by the end of this year to regain recognition from the Union Sports Ministry.
Singh further wrote: “The learned RO (returning officer) considered their request and has recommended that the AGM and elections be postponed. This has also been confirmed by the Indian Olympic Association.
“…the BFI AGM and elections, which were scheduled to be held on 18.12.2020, are now postponed. The date for holding the AGM and elections of BFI will be intimated separately.”
It bears noting that Singh was being challenged for the president’s post by former Mumbai Cricket Association president and BJP leader Ashish Shelar.
Singh took charge as BFI president in 2016 following elections conducted under the supervision of the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
