BFI Elections: Ajay Singh steps down as interim committee chief to contest for third term

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Published at :August 2, 2025 at 8:55 PM

Modified at :August 2, 2025 at 8:55 PM

(Courtesy : @BFI_Official/Twitter)

The BFI elections will be held on August 21 and will be overseen by the president of World Boxing.

Ajay Singh has stepped down from his role as the Chairman of the Interim Committee that overseed Indian Boxing to contest in the upcoming Boxing Federation of India (BFI) elections, scheduled for August 21.

His resignation comes just a day after the Interim Committee formally announced the election date.

Having already served two four-year terms, Singh will now be contesting for a third and final term. The move is permitted under India’s 2011 National Sports Development Code, which allows a maximum of three terms.

VIDEO | On the BFI elections, BFI President Ajay Singh says, "We started the election process in March this year, and the process was delayed… Subsequently, the Interim Committee was formed and asked to conduct the elections before August 31. So, it will be held before August… pic.twitter.com/vFFnlbR1U5
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 24, 2025

In his official resignation letter, Singh wrote, “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 21st August 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,” he added in his letter as reported by PTI.

The elections were initially scheduled to be held on March 28, 2025. However, following several delays and controversies around the BFI elections, the global governing body World Boxing had stepped in April to oversee the process and ensure its completion.

Now that Singh has resigned from the role, World Boxing has appointed Singapore Boxing President Fairuz Mohammed as the new Chairman of the Interim Committee to maintain administrative continuity until the elections.

Also Read: India’s junior boxing team begins campaign at Asian Boxing Championships 2025 in Bangkok

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

Boris van der Vorst also confirmed that he, along with Mike McAtee, Acting Secretary General of World Boxing, will be present in India on August 21 to act as observers during the election process.

When will the BFI elections be held?

The BFI elections will be held on 21st August.

Who will contest the BFI elections?

Apart from Ajay Singh, Hemanta Kalita and former Sports Minister Anurag Thakur are expected to be contesting the elections.

Why are the BFI elections important?

The elections will determine the future of Indian boxing and also restore governance to the Federation, which has been overseen by an interim committee.

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Uzma Fatima

Uzma Fatima is a passionate sports journalist who believes every match has a story waiting to be told. Whether it's the grace of Olympic champions, the grit of tennis and badminton battles, or the drama of cricket’s highs and heartbreaks — she loves capturing the emotion behind the action. Off the field, she’s a Formula 1 enthusiast who never misses a race weekend.