NEW DELHI: Incumbent
Ajay Singh was on Thursday re-elected as the president of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) for a third consecutive term, defeating Olympian Jaslal Pradhan in the much-delayed elections marred by legal hurdles.
Singh, who is also the managing director of SpiceJet Airlines, secured 40 votes against Pradhan’s 26 in a keenly watched contest. The polls were postponed by more than six months amid legal wrangling, with the
Delhi High Court monitoring the process.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“I’m just happy that we get to continue the good work that the BFI has been doing for the past eight years,” Singh told PTI after his victory. “India’s rank in the world has gone up from 44 eight years ago to number four today. That gives us immense satisfaction. Our aim is to ensure boxers get more international opportunities and bring home Olympic medals.”
Alongside Singh’s victory, new office-bearers were also chosen.
Pramod Kumar of Uttar Pradesh was elected as the new secretary general, edging out Digvijay Singh of Madhya Pradesh 36-30 and replacing Assam’s Hemanta Kalita. The treasurer’s position saw a three-way battle, with Pon Baskaran emerging victorious with 28 votes, defeating Anil Kumar Bohidar and R. Gopu.
The elections were conducted under the supervision of Returning Officer Justice (retd) Rajesh Tandon, while BFI interim committee head Fairuz Mohammed of Singapore acted as World Boxing’s observer.
Despite the successful conduct of the elections, the results remain subject to the outcome of an ongoing case in the Delhi High Court, where amendments made by the interim committee have been challenged by several state units. The next hearing is scheduled for September 23.
“The court had allowed the elections to proceed but made the results subject to its final decision. We will abide by the law of the land,” Singh said.
With India set to host the World Boxing Cup and World Boxing Congress in November, Singh’s re-election ensures continuity at the helm of Indian boxing during a crucial phase.
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