Four-year turmoil in Indian boxing ends

Seeking to end four years of administrative turmoil, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) was yesterday voted to office with businessman Ajay Singh becoming its President following an overwhelming win in the elections declared “free and fair” by the International Boxing Association (AIBA).

Singh, the Chairman and Managing Director of SpiceJet Airlines, got 49 votes against the 15 that his rival Rohit Jainendra Jain of Delhi polled in the election which had observers from AIBA as well as the Sports Ministry to monitor the proceedings.

While AIBA was represented by its Oceania Zone Vice-President Edgar Tanner, the Ministry deputed Sports Authority of India Director Sushmita Jyotsi as observer. Jyotsi also expressed satisfaction with the process after results were announced.

Big businessman

The 51-year-old Singh, who was representing Uttarakhand, is an accomplished businessman credited for turning around the fortunes of SpiceJet, an airline he founded before selling off his majority stakes in 2005.

He bought back his share last year when the company was in dire straits and steered it towards profits. Singh is a vice-president in Uttarakhand Boxing Association.

He was a late entrant to the race and sources said Singh had the backing of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), which however, did not depute any observer for yesterday’s proceedings despite requests by IOC and the AIBA.

“Our priority now will be to bring back boxing to where we were — in the top10 in the world or even topfive. We should put behind the politics of last four years and focus on boxing, boxers, coaches etc,” Singh said.