Boxing Federation of India gets IOA's affiliation to become fully recognised body

Ending the deadlock Indian Olympic Association has granted affiliation to the Boxing Federation of India(BFI). BFI was already affiliated with AIBA and the Sports Ministry and with this, it now has become a fully recognised body for Indian boxing.

"As per the directives of the International OlympicCommittee vide their letter dated February 7, the IOA grants affiliation to the BFI subject to ratification by theExecutive Council/General Body of the IOA," the IOA stated in a letter to BFI President Ajay Singh.

The affiliation ends a logjam that goes back to Septemberlast year when BFI took charge of the sport after electionsconducted in the presence of International Boxing Association(AIBA) and Sports Ministry observers.

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"I welcome the grant of affiliation by the IOA and look forward to its ratification by IOA's General body. All sports bodies need to work together for the cause of Indian sport andIndian sportspersons," BFI chief Ajay Singh told PTI.

The IOA had initially refused to grant recognition to BFIstating that it still considered the now-defunct IndianAmateur Boxing Federation (IABF) as the official national body for the sport.

It had eventually referred the matter to its affiliation committee after persistent requests from the BFI.