Vijender Singh calls for greater foreign exposure to boost India's boxing hopes in 2028 Los Angeles Games

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Feb 26, 2025, 15:17 IST

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Olympic medallist Vijender Singh urges increased international competition for Indian boxers to enhance their chances at the 2028 LA Games. He calls for prompt and transparent BFI elections to improve administration. Following the expiration of BFI officials' tenure, the IOA has set up a provisional committee to manage boxing affairs until elections are held.

Vijender Singh calls for greater foreign exposure to boost India's boxing hopes in 2028 Los Angeles Games

Vijender Singh (Image credit: X)

NEW DELHI: Olympic medallist Vijender Singh advocates increased international participation for Indian boxers to enhance their prospects at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. He additionally calls for prompt and transparent elections within the BFI to improve administrative efficiency. Indian boxers have not participated in international events since the Paris Olympics, whilst the women's national championships have seen several delays.
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) elections remain pending.
"The way our country is progressing in sports, I strongly feel that Indian boxers must get more foreign exposure in competitions from now onwards to secure medals at the LA Olympics 2028," Vijender wrote on X on Wednesday.
"For that, we need to conduct fresh and fair elections ASAP to build a strong federation. I will be more than happy to contribute my experience if given any responsibility by our government. @PMOIndia @mansukhmandviya," he added.

Following the expiration of BFI office-bearers' tenure on February 3, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) established an ad-hoc committee due to delayed elections.
On Monday, the IOA appointed a five-member provisional committee to administer the sport until elections occur.
The committee's leadership comprises former Athletics Federation of India (AFI) treasurer Madhukant Pathak, with experienced boxing administrators Rajesh Bhandari (vice-chairman), DP Bhatt, Virendra Singh Thakur, and former Asian champion Shiva Thapa as the athlete representative.
The Paris Games proved unsuccessful for Indian boxing, with no medals secured.
The sport faces additional uncertainty at the Olympic level, as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has suspended the Umar Kremlev-led International Boxing Association (IBA). World Boxing, a separate organisation, seeks IOC acknowledgment.

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