Secretary, Department of Sports, Shri Rajeev Yadav took a meeting yesterday to discuss issues relating to participation of Indian Boxers in the Rio Olympics. The meeting took place in the backdrop of reports that the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) is insisting on formation of a duly elected National Federation for Boxing before 31st March, 2016 and that failure to do so would have an adverse effect on the eligibility of Indian boxers for participation in the Rio Olympic Games.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Director General of Sports Authority of India who is a Member of the AIBA-appointed Ad-hoc Committee for boxing in India. Secretary (Sports) observed that due to factional fights, it has not been possible to put in place an AIBA-recognized National Sports Federation for Boxing. As a result, Boxing, a sport in which India was making rapid progress, has suffered setbacks. Grass-root development as well as elite sport has suffered.

He urged all concerned including the Indian Olympic Association to come together and pave the way for formation of a duly elected body in the interest of Boxing and boxers in India. He stated that this needs to be done at the earliest in view of the Olympics to be held in Rio de Janeiro in August this year. He also stated that the Government would make all efforts to ensure that preparation of India’s Boxers for Rio Olympics goes on unhindered and that they participate in the Rio Olympics under the national Flag.

Earlier, on 10th March, 2016, the DG SAI held a meeting with all concerned to devise a road-map for establishment of a duly elected National Federation for Boxing in India.