MUMBAI: The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) on Friday scrapped this year’s India Open International Tournament, Indian Express reports. Real reason: Financial constraints. Stated reason: Boxers likely to be out of the country for a training camp during the period when the event was originally planned
BFI’s decision comes even as dues to the pugilists from last year’s edition, totaling hundreds of thousands of rupees, remain outstanding, the daily further reports.
The tournament was scheduled for March-April and was to double up as selection trials for the World Olympic qualifying tournament to be held in May, BFI sources told IE. However, separate trials are now likely to be organised for the categories in which India does not win a quota at the continental qualifiers next month.
It needs noting that a number of boxers have complained to the federation – in writing and orally as well – regarding the unpaid prize money from the 2019 edition, which was held in Guwahati last May. The BFI is yet to disburse total cash prize of approximately Rs 3.4 million to the Gold and Silver medal-winning Indian boxers, sources told the daily.
According to the BFI, the delay has been because they did not receive the sponsorship money from the Assam government. “We have recently received the sponsorship money from the government of Assam so the Indian boxers will shortly be given their prize money,” an IBF spokesperson told IE.
According to the daily, it is not just the boxers, but also a few members of the coaching staff, referee-judges, and a couple of state units who hosted domestic championships, too, that have not been paid their dues.
Some pugilists even claimed to IE the federation owes them money from previous international tournaments as well.
