NEW DELHI: After months of dilly-dallying, the Indian Olympic Association has finally recognised the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) as the national body governing the sport in India.
Though the BFI was recognised by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) and the Sports Ministry more than a year ago after elections conducted in September 2016, the IOA’s nod came only on Wednesday.
The IOA, which had the de-recognised Indian Amateur Boxing Federation registered as the official body till now, has now effectively dissociated from the IABF.
“The Olympic Charter clearly says that the sporting federation must be recognised by the international body. So the just followed that. the BFI has been recognised by the AIBA. Therefore the IOA has ratified the Olympic charter. It was a unanimous decision,” BFI President Ajay Singh told PTI on the sidelines of an IOA meeting here.
The Sports Ministry had earlier barred IABF from using India as it was no longer a national federation. The BFI assumed office last year after elections conducted in the presence of observers from the AIBA and the Sports Ministry.
