Vijender Singh Pushes for More Foreign Exposure for Indian Boxers
Olympic bronze medalist Vijender Singh has stressed the importance of increased international exposure for Indian boxers to improve their performance at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He believes frequent participation in foreign competitions is essential for securing medals.
Since the Paris Olympics, Indian boxing has been relatively low-profile. In October and November 2024, young boxers competed in the U19 World Boxing Championships in the USA. The men’s national championships were held in January 2025 in Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh), while the women’s competition, initially scheduled for February 21-28 in Lucknow, has been postponed.
Some boxers, including Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain, participated in the National Games in Uttarakhand.
Vijender Calls for Urgent BFI Elections
Vijender has also demanded fresh and fair elections for the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), arguing that a strong governing body is necessary for the sport’s progress.
“Indian boxers must get more foreign exposure in competitions to secure medals at the LA Olympics 2028,” Vijender posted on X.
“To achieve this, fresh and fair elections must be conducted as soon as possible. If given a role by the government, I would be happy to contribute my experience,” he added, addressing the Prime Minister’s Office and Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
IOA Steps In to Oversee BFI Operations
On Monday, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) set up a five-member ad hoc committee to manage the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) due to administrative instability. The BFI’s tenure ended on February 2, but legal issues over previous elections delayed fresh polls.
The ad hoc committee will be led by Madukant Pathak, with the following members:
- Rajesh Bhandari (Vice Chairman)
- Virendra Singh Thakur
- Shiva Thapa
- D P Bhatt
This panel will address grievances in the boxing community, ensure Indian athletes participate in upcoming international competitions, and facilitate the timely conduct of BFI elections.
With the 2028 Olympics approaching, Vijender Singh’s appeal highlights the urgency of strengthening boxing administration and expanding global exposure to boost India’s chances on the world stage.
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