India's Boxing Team in IBA Worlds Sparks Controversy, BFI Writes to World Body

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A 13-member Indian boxing team is competing in the IBA Elite Men's World Championships in Dubai, despite the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) ending its association with the IBA. The team has been fielded by the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF), which lost its status as a national federation in 2017. The BFI, which joined World Boxing (WB) in May 2024 after the IOC withdrew recognition from IBA, has written to WB about the development. The BFI asserts that the team participating is not an official entry sent by India, and that only BFI can send an India team for competitions. BFI Executive Director Col Arun Malik told Hindustan Times that the IABF's actions are 'illegal' and that the BFI will inform the Sports Ministry and take legal action to stop the IABF from deceiving athletes and players. Malik also stated that the court had passed an order in 2019 restraining the IABF from using the word 'India' or 'Indian'. The IABF has been organising competitions and trials to pick a team for the IBA World Championship, which has attracted several big players due to the prize money being offered. IBA is offering a whopping USD 8.32 million in prize money for the Dubai World Championships. The BFI's decision to join WB was made after the IOC withdrew recognition from IBA and called on member countries to collaborate towards forming a new governing body to safeguard boxing's future as an Olympic sport. The IOC has granted provisional recognition to WB and kept boxing on the calendar for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The IABF, which was suspended and terminated by AIBA in 2017, has been hosting competitions and trials to pick a team for the IBA World Championship. The BFI's actions have sparked controversy in the boxing world, with some questioning the legitimacy of the IABF's actions and others defending the right of boxers to compete in IBA events.