IOA President PT Usha Forms Committee To Probe BFI Election Delays

Last Updated:July 13, 2025, 18:48 IST

IOA President PT Usha formed a committee, led by Sahdev Yadav, to investigate BFI election delays. BFI's Interim Committee assures elections by August 31.

PT Usha outside Parliament (PTI)

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha has set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the persistent delay in the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) elections.

This move comes even as the BFI’s Interim Committee assured on Sunday that the elections would be conducted by the August 31 deadline.

The committee, constituted on Friday, aims to uncover the reasons behind the stalled election process and suggest a roadmap to ensure future elections are conducted in a fair and timely manner.

Headed by IOA Treasurer Sahdev Yadav, the panel also includes IOA Executive Council member Bhupender Singh Bajwa and Advocate Payal Kakra.

“The term of the current Executive Committee of the BFI ended on February 2, and fresh elections have not been conducted since," Usha stated in an IOA office order dated July 11.

As per the order, the panel will review the current legal and administrative status of the BFI and assess the impact the election delay has had on boxing governance in India. The committee will also propose appropriate actions, including engaging with World Boxing, and provide a clear roadmap for conducting elections.

The report is to be submitted within a week so the findings can be shared with World Boxing.

Sports Ministry Urged Swift Resolution

The IOA’s intervention follows a letter from the Sports Ministry dated July 5, which urged Usha to devise a suitable mechanism, in consultation with World Boxing, to expedite the election process in accordance with the National Sports Code, 2011 and BFI’s bye-laws.

Usha had earlier met World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst in Lausanne to discuss the situation.

The BFI elections, originally slated for March 28, have been derailed by legal complications and internal conflicts, including multiple appeals and counter-appeals. The tenure of the last BFI office-bearers expired on February 2.

World Boxing Appoints Interim Committee for Oversight

To maintain continuity in boxing governance, World Boxing constituted a six-member Interim Committee on April 7, headed by Ajay Singh, with a 90-day mandate. Last week, the committee’s tenure was extended, with World Boxing urging the completion of the election process by August 31.

Interestingly, while Usha has initiated the fact-finding process, she has yet to nominate the final member of the BFI Interim Committee.

Interim Committee Assures Timely BFI Elections by August 31 Deadline

BFI Executive Director Arun Malik, who also serves on the Interim Committee, released a statement on Sunday affirming the committee’s dedication to completing the election process within the stipulated timeline.

“The committee is fully committed to delivering free and fair polls within the given timeline," Malik stated.

He also emphasized the autonomy of the National Federation, asserting it operates under the framework laid down by the international governing body.

“At the same time, it is important to reaffirm that the autonomy of the National Federation is governed by the framework laid down by the World Body," he said.

Responding to the IOA’s formation of the fact-finding committee, Malik acknowledged the intent but maintained that the ongoing process is already transparent and accountable.

“While we respect the intent behind the IOA’s formation of a three-member fact-finding committee, the process underway is already transparent, accountable, and well-documented," Malik added.

“All key action points and developments have been formally communicated to both the IOA and the Ministry, ensuring complete institutional clarity."

The BFI has been beset by internal disputes and factionalism in the lead-up to the elections. The Returning Officer, retired Delhi High Court judge RK Gauba, resigned earlier this year, citing a targeted smear campaign against him.

Adding to the intensity of the upcoming elections, former Sports Minister Anurag Thakur is expected to contest for the president’s post against incumbent Ajay Singh.

(with PTI inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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News sports IOA President PT Usha Forms Committee To Probe BFI Election Delays