NEW DELHI: Incumbent Ajay Singh has won re-election as Boxing Federation of India president for another term, defeating BJP politician and former Maharashtra Sports Minister Ashish Shelar in a straight contest.
It bears noting that when Shelar filed his nomination for the president’s post last month, he had expressed confidence that he would sweep the elections.
The main point on the agenda at the AGM, held Wednesday in Gurugram, was the elections, which saw not just Singh, but also the BFI’s current executive council, all being elected for another term.
Following the elections, AIBA president Umar Kremlev and Singh had a quick conference call. Kremlev congratulated Singh on his re-election and promised “close cooperation for the sake of boxing”.
“I was pleasantly surprised with the level of the Congress organization. The elections were organized in accordance with generally recognized democratic and good governance principles. Full transparency was provided, and the secret ballot was organized under the strict supervision of the candidate’s representatives, as well as AIBA and Indian NOC observers,” said Yury Zaytsev, AIBA’s legal adviser who was present as an Observer to ensure the elections were properly conducted.
Singh, who is also the chairman and managing director of Spicejet airlines, prevailed 37-27 in the elections to win a fresh four-year term. He will have Assam’s Hemanta Kumar Kalita as his secretary general.
Kalita secured 39 votes against CV Raje (25), while Digvijay Singh secured the post of Treasurer with 33 votes against Anil Mishra (30).
“It is great credit to all of us that this election was conducted so peacefully and professionally. We are one family, we will work towards glory of our sport. Let there be no heartburn, it is everyone’s right to fight the election,” PTI quotes Singh as having said after the elections.
Asian Boxing Championship in April or May
The postponed Asian Boxing Championship, which India is scheduled to host, will be organised in either April or May this year, Singh revealed on Wednesday after being re-elected.
The championship was to be originally held in November-December last year, but was postponed owing to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Asian Championship will either be held in April or May,” Singh said at a press conference after the AGM.
India last hosted the men’s Asian meet back in 1980 in Mumbai, before conducting the women’s event in 2003 in Hisar. The tournament became a combined event for men and women last year.
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