Ajay Singh eyeing a third term; steps down as BFI Interim Committee chairman

Aiming for a third and final term as Boxing Federation of India (BFI) president, Ajay Singh has stepped down as chairman of the World Boxing-appointed Interim Committee to contest the upcoming elections, slated to be held during the BFI’s Annual General Meeting on August 21.

Singh’s resignation comes a day after the Interim Committee on Friday announced a fresh date of BFI polls, stalled for several months amid legal battles and multiple internal conflicts. According to a circular issued by Singh, the BFI’s AGM will begin at 11:00 AM on August 21, featuring elections for key positions for the 2025–2029 cycle. All affiliated state units and Union Territories have been asked to submit the names of two representatives by 5:00 PM on Monday. The meeting will also include approval of minutes from the previous AGM and discussion of other matters, subject to the Chair’s approval.

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Submitting his resignation in a letter dated August 1 to World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst, Singh wrote, “As you are aware, the Interim Committee of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), appointed by World Boxing, has diligently carried out its responsibilities in accordance with the mandate entrusted to it.”

“The committee has ensured the smooth functioning of the federation and upheld the standards of governance during this transitional phase. I am pleased to inform you that the elections of the Boxing Federation of India have now been formally announced and are scheduled to be held on August 21, 2025.

“Since I intend to contest the forthcoming elections, I believe it is appropriate and in the interest of fairness and transparency that I step down from the position of Chairman of the Interim Committee with immediate effect,” Singh further wrote.

Singh has already completed two four-year terms as BFI President and is now eyeing a final stint, as permitted under the 2011 National Sports Development Code of India.

Accepting his resignation, World Boxing has named Fairuz Mohammed, the President of Singapore Boxing and the federation’s designated observer, as the new Chairman of the Interim Committee.

“We respect this decision and hereby appoint Fairuz Mohammed, President of Singapore Boxing, as Chairman of the Interim Committee to ensure continuity till the new body is elected,” van der Vorst said in his official reply.

To uphold transparency and fairness during the elections, World Boxing confirmed that president Boris van der Vorst and acting secretary general Mike McAtee will reach the capital city on election day to serve as official observers.

“Additionally, we wish to inform you that I, myself, along with Mike McAtee, acting secretary General of World Boxing, will be present in India on 21st August 2025 to act as observers for the BFI elections,” van der Vorst added.

The long-delayed elections mark a significant step towards restoring a democratically elected leadership in Indian boxing after a period of legal challenges and interim management. The elections were originally slated for March 28 but were postponed due to a series of disputes.

In response, World Boxing appointed a six-member Interim Committee, chaired by Singh, on April 7, to manage the day-to-day operations of the federation and facilitate resolution of the ongoing issues.

The committee was appointed “with immediate effect for a period not exceeding 90 days,” but its tenure was extended with a renewed mandate to conduct elections by August 31, in line with World Boxing’s deadline.