The upcoming Women's National Boxing Championship in Greater Noida has taken an unexpected turn, with political turmoil overshadowing the prestigious event. Several top boxers, including Olympic medalist Lovlina Borgohain, have been prevented from participating due to an internal power struggle within the Boxing Federation of India (BFI). The controversy has raised serious concerns about the future of Indian boxing and the impact of politics on athletes.
Politics Over Performance?
The tournament, scheduled from March 21-27 at the Gautam Buddha University, was already postponed twice this year. Now, new tensions have emerged as BFI Secretary General Hemanta Kumar Kalita was suspended over allegations of "financial irregularities." This move has led to a power struggle, forcing several state associations, including Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and others, to withdraw their teams.
Lovlina Borgohain, one of India’s top boxing stars, initially expressed willingness to participate but later withdrew due to alleged political pressure. Reports suggest that Kalita, also the secretary of the Assam Amateur Boxing Association, asked Assam's boxers to pull out, further fueling the controversy.
A Blow to Indian Boxing
The administrative chaos has had a direct impact on the championship. Last week, 18 state associations requested a postponement, citing the short 15-day notice. However, BFI President Ajay Singh dismissed the concerns and insisted that the championship would proceed as planned.
Former world champion Sarita Devi expressed her disappointment over the issue, stating that boxing should not suffer due to politics. "Boxers train for years to compete. It is unfair that they are caught in administrative battles," she said.
BFI Defends Its Stand
BFI has released footage of top Indian boxers, including Nikhat Zareen and Nitu Ghanghas, training for the championship, attempting to assure that the event remains competitive. Ajay Singh also announced financial support for boxers unable to compete due to political interference.
"State associations must prioritize athletes over politics. National selection is crucial for international events, and denying boxers a chance to compete is a great shame," Singh stated.
What’s Next for Indian Boxing?
As the championship approaches, the question remains: Will Indian boxing rise above internal conflicts, or will politics continue to dictate the sport? The outcome of this battle will not only affect the current tournament but could also have lasting consequences for future competitions, including the Paris 2024 Olympics.
For Indian boxing to thrive, the focus must return to the athletes, their training, and their dreams—not boardroom battles. The coming days will reveal whether sportsmanship can triumph over politics or if this power struggle will knock out the future of Indian boxing.