After two years riddled with scandals, corruption, and a longstanding suspension, Indian boxing is all set to elect their new officials on Thursday under the watchful eyes of the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
The AIBA had terminated all relationship with the Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) two years ago in December 2012, after it found that the officials within the federation were "damaging the image, reputation and interest" of the sport in the country.
Earlier this year, after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was reinstated back into the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) fold, the AIBA had decided to review their stand on the IBF. They found, however, that the situation had not improved. Hence, the IBF was banned completely.
The new federation, in charge of boxing in India, has been preliminarily named Boxing India and has received recognition from the AIBA as the organization that would be the flag bearer for the sport in the country. Boxing India is all set to elect their new office bearers in Mumbai, later today.
Officials from the AIBA would be conducting Boxing India's elections. The world's apex boxing organization had earlier banned the IBF saying that the federation of boxing in India would not be brought back into the fold until they conduct fresh elections, with their candidates only being allowed to stand for the elections, after going through a screening done by the AIBA.
The results would be declared on Friday, and Indian boxing seems to be all set to have a new organisation in charge, at the helm. Sandeep Jajodia is all set to take charge as the president of Boxing India, as he is the "unopposed" presidential candidate of the organisation. The elections will be conducted for the post of vice-president, secretary general, treasurer and the executive committee as well.
"Everything possible has been done to ensure transparency," said Udit Seth, one of the members of Boxing India, to PTI.
The elections would be monitored by two representatives from the world's apex boxing organization – Kishen Narsi, former Executive Council member and Legal Advisor, AIBA, and Cliodhna Guy, a member of the AIBA's Legal Committee.
List of Candidates
President: Sandeep Jajodia (Unopposed)
Vice-president: Narendra Nirvan, Jaipal Singh, Hiren Pandit, Asit Banerjee, Dalpat Singh Arya, Mukerjee Nirwan, Dr CK Jerath, John Kharshiing, Rohan Khante, Kalikata Boro, GV Raviraju, T Meren Paul, Dr CB Raje, Dr Rupak Debroy, Anil Kumar Bohidar
Secretary General: Jay Kowli, Rakesh Thakran, Rohit Jain
Treasurer: Khoibi Salam, Hemanta Kumar Kalita, Dr Rupak Debroy
Executive Committee: Santosh Dutta, Rajesh Tokas, Rajesh Rajput, Anil Misra, Dr Nirmolak Singh, Dr DP Bhatt, R Gopu, Dr Lalrozama, Rajiv Kumar Singh, Amarjit Singh, Bharatkumar Whaval, Jas Lal Pradhan
