BFI defies SAI warning, insists head coaches’ role ‘inescapable’ in selection trials

NEW DELHI: The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) on Wednesday proceeded with the first phase of its assessment test process despite objections from the Sports Authority of India (SAI), asserting that the inclusion of head coaches in the selection panel remains “essential and inescapable.”

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The evaluation test (selection trials), aimed at picking India’s boxing contingent for the upcoming CWG in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Japan, began with a series of rigorous strength and conditioning assessments at NS NIS Patiala. The elite men’s and women’s boxers underwent tests such as the ‘Countermovement Jump (CMJ), Landmine Throw Test, 30-second Watt bike Test, and the Intermittent Fitness Test (IFT)’ to evaluate their physical readiness.




Conducted in morning and evening sessions, the gruelling routines are designed to prepare athletes for the decisive knockout bouts scheduled from May 11 to 15, after which the final squads will be announced.

The move comes a day after SAI raised concerns over the BFI’s selection criteria and evaluation framework, warning that the process could be declared “invalid” if critical details were not furnished. The federation furnished its detailed response on Wednesday, clarifying on its assessment schedule, evaluation mechanisms, and the structure of the national coaching camp. TOI has a copy of the BFI mail to SAI’s TOPS division.

The BFI maintained that it has adhered fully to the sports ministry's selection guidelines issued on March 5, 2025. The federation outlined that its High-Performance Unit (HPU) includes foreign coach Santiago Neiva, head coach C A Kuttappa, and four internationally certified referee-judges. It also clarified that sports science staff will have no role during the final assessment phase.

The selection committee, BFI stated, will comprise president Ajay Singh, secretary general Pramod Kumar, coaches Neiva and Kuttappa, and Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) Rajender Prasad and V Devarajan. The federation emphasised that including head coaches ensures “informed and performance-based decision making.”

However, sources indicated that SAI’s concerns still remain over potential bias if camp-based coaches assess athletes they have previously trained or selected. “The process must withstand challenges from athletes, courts, and oversight bodies,” a source said, adding that gaps in the framework could invite future disputes.

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