New Delhi, Oct 24 Suspended Boxing Federation of India (BFI) secretary general Pramod Kumar on Saturday said he has informed World Boxing, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Sports Ministry about the Special General Meeting (SGM) scheduled for October 28 and invited their observers to attend.
Earlier this month, Kumar proposed a no-confidence motion against BFI president Ajay Singh, which is scheduled to be taken up at the SGM.
Singh subsequently suspended Kumar with immediate effect pending an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities, non-cooperation with investigations and misuse of authority. A day later, Kumar issued an order suspending Singh pending the outcome of the no-confidence motion with both alleging violations of the federation’s constitution.
“We have notified World Boxing, the Indian Olympic Association and the Sports Ministry and invited their observers for the meeting,” Kumar told PTI.
“All our correspondence is going to the IOA and the Ministry.”
Kumar said World Boxing had responded to his email, stating that it could not send an observer due to a paucity of time but was monitoring the developments.
“The world body replied to the email, stating that due to time constraints, it could not send an observer, but said it was keeping an eye on the October 28 meeting and would take a decision after that,” he said.
“We have been sending emails to World Boxing for the last six months. Even during the World Cup, we briefed them about the situation. At that time also, we had a no-confidence motion against Singh.”
Kumar, who was elected last year, claimed he had the two-thirds majority required to pass the no-confidence motion against Singh.
He said Singh was yet to acknowledge the meeting and added that the BFI senior vice-president would preside over it.
“Nothing has come, no acknowledgement so far from Singh’s side. Since the motion is against him, the senior vice-president will preside over the meeting,” Kumar said.
Taking a swipe at Singh, Kumar described him as being no less than a “Hitler”.
“For him, everything is his own. The constitution is whatever he says it is. He is no less than a Hitler. His word is everything, his word is the constitution, his word is everything,” Kumar said.
Former boxers, coaches call for accountability, unity amid BFI power struggle
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As the power struggle in the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) continues, Dronacharya and Arjuna Award-winning coaches and former boxers, including Mohammed Ali Qamar and Manoj Kumar, have called for “accountability, unity and a comprehensive national plan for boxing”.
“Our purpose is neither personal nor political. We seek accountability, institutional unity and a stronger future for the young boxers who aspire to represent India internationally,” they said.
(PTI News)
