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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
IOA President PT Usha forms committee to ascertain delay in BFI elections
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha has constituted a three-member Fact-Finding Committee to ascertain the reasons for the prolonged delay in conducting the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) elections and to recommend a roadmap to ensure fair and timely polls. The committee, formed on Friday, is chaired by IOA Treasurer Sahdev Yadav, with IOA Executive Council member Bhupender Singh Bajwa and Advocate Payal Kakra as members. "The term of the current Executive Committee of the BFI ended on Feb 2 and fresh elections have not been conducted since," Usha said in an IOA office order dated July 11. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo According to the order, the panel will examine the "current legal and administrative status of the BFI and assess the implications of the delay on the governance and functioning of boxing in India." It will also "recommend necessary actions, including engagement with World Boxing , and suggest a clear roadmap for holding elections in a fair and timely elections." Live Events The committee has been asked to submit its report within a week "so that the factual position can be presented to World Boxing." The formation of the panel comes after the Sports Ministry , in a letter dated July 5, requested Usha to "device a mechanism providing a suitable way forward in consultation with World Boxing to ensure elections are held at the earliest in accordance with the National Sports Code, 2011 and bye laws of BFI." Usha had also met World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst in Lausanne last month. The tenure of the previous BFI office-bearers ended on February 2. Elections were initially scheduled for March 28, but the process has since been stalled due to legal wrangling, including multiple appeals and counter-appeals. To ensure administrative continuity and oversight of domestic and international competitions, World Boxing set up a six-member Interim Committee, headed by Ajay Singh on April 7, with a 90-day mandate. Last week, it extended the committee's tenure and urged the panel to complete the election process by August 31. Interestingly, while Usha has announced the fact-finding panel, she has yet to nominate the final member of the BFI Interim Committee. BFI Executive Director Arun Malik and member of the Interim Committee in a statement on Sunday stated that the committee is "fully committed to delivering free and fair polls within the given timeline. At the same time, it is important to reaffirm that the autonomy of the National Federation is governed by the framework laid down by the World Body." "While we respect the intent behind the IOA's formation of a three-member fact-finding committee, the process under way is already transparent, accountable, and well-documented. All key action points and developments have been formally communicated to both the IOA and the Ministry, ensuring complete institutional clarity," he added. The BFI has been plagued by internal strife and factionalism in the run-up to the elections. The Returning Officer, former Delhi High Court judge RK Gauba, had also resigned from his post, alleging a smear campaign against him. Former Sports Minister Anurag Thakur is set to contest the elections against the incumbent BFI President Ajay Singh.
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
IOA President PT Usha forms committee to ascertain delay in BFI elections
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P. T. Usha has constituted a three-member fact-finding committee to ascertain the reasons for the prolonged delay in conducting the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) elections and to recommend a roadmap to ensure fair and timely polls. The committee, formed on Friday, is chaired by IOA Treasurer Sahdev Yadav, with IOA Executive Council member Bhupender Singh Bajwa and Advocate Payal Kakra as members. 'The term of the current Executive Committee of the BFI ended on February 2, and fresh elections have not been conducted since,' Usha said in an IOA office order dated July 11. According to the order, the panel will examine the 'current legal and administrative status of the BFI and assess the implications of the delay on the governance and functioning of boxing in India.' It will also 'recommend necessary actions, including engagement with World Boxing, and suggest a clear roadmap for holding elections in a fair and timely manner.' The committee has been asked to submit its report within a week 'so that the factual position can be presented to World Boxing.' The formation of the panel comes after the Sports Ministry, in a letter dated July 5, requested Usha to 'devise a mechanism providing a suitable way forward in consultation with World Boxing to ensure elections are held at the earliest in accordance with the National Sports Code, 2011 and by-laws of BFI.' Usha had also met World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst in Lausanne last month. The tenure of the previous BFI office-bearers ended on February 2. Elections were initially scheduled for March 28, but the process has since been stalled due to legal wrangling, including multiple appeals and counter-appeals. To ensure administrative continuity and oversight of domestic and international competitions, World Boxing set up a six-member Interim Committee, headed by Ajay Singh, on April 7, with a 90-day mandate. Last week, it extended the committee's tenure and urged the panel to complete the election process by August 31. Usha, however, has yet to nominate the final member of the BFI Interim Committee. 'Everything is out in the open; the delay is due to legal complications. We have kept the Sports Ministry, World Boxing, as well as the IOA, abreast with all the developments. We intend on holding the elections before the August 31 deadline set by the world body,' a BFI official told PTI. The BFI has been plagued by internal strife and factionalism in the run-up to the elections. The Returning Officer, former Delhi High Court judge RK Gauba, had also resigned from his post, alleging a smear campaign against him. Former Sports Minister Anurag Thakur is set to contest the elections against the incumbent BFI President Ajay Singh.
Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
FIDE World Cup 2025 could be moved from New Delhi to Goa
The highly anticipated 2025 FIDE World Cup, originally scheduled to be held in New Delhi, may be relocated from the national capital to Goa, The Indian Express has learned. 'The talks are ongoing. While I can't confirm anything at the moment, yes, Goa is the frontrunner to host the World Cup,' Mahesh Candolkar, president of the Goa Chess Association, told this newspaper. The Delhi Chess Association, however, claims to have no information about this change. 'Normally, the All India Chess Federation (AICF) doesn't organise events directly but through state associations. The Delhi Chess Association hasn't been informed about any such development (relocation of the tournament),' said Bharat Singh Chauhan, former AICF secretary and current Delhi Chess Association president. When asked about standard notification timelines regarding the potential relocation of the event, Chauhan added: 'For an international event of this scale, state associations are typically informed six to seven months in advance (if it is to be relocated). We haven't received any communication.' The AICF did not respond to queries regarding the potential change of venue. An email accessed by The Indian Express reveals that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has also sanctioned Rs. 2.5 Crore to AICF on May 8th 2025, for the purpose of 'hosting of FIDE World Cup to be held in Delhi from 30th Oct to 27th November 2025'. While the exact reasons for the venue change remain unclear, sources close to the chess governing body suggest internal conflicts may be responsible, with potential government intervention to dissolve the current administration and call for fresh elections. Earlier, the AICF General Body, following the National Sports Code, unanimously elected the new set of office bearers for the 2024-27 term in New Delhi in March 2024. New Delhi was initially set to host India's first major international chess tournament since the 2022 Chennai Olympiad, with two AICF officials confirming in March that the biennial tournament, one of the flagship events in global chess, would likely be held at either Bharat Mandapam or Yashobhoomi. If the national capital loses the World Cup, it would be the second potential relocation for a major chess event in India. The Indian Express recently reported that the fourth leg of the 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam tour, also scheduled to be held in New Delhi from September 17 to 24, could be moved to another venue outside India because of a lack of interest from local sponsors. A prestigious biennial knockout tournament, the FIDE World Cup features over 200 players and is one of the most important events for the World Championship cycle, with three out of the eight spots for the Candidates' tournament at stake. The winner of the marquee Candidates tournament will get to challenge the current World Champion, India's D. Gukesh, in 2026.
India Today
01-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Pickleball lands in administrative war as AIPA opposes government recognition of IPA
Just about finding its space in India right now, pickleball is already embroiled in an administrative turf war after the Sports Ministry granted national federation status to the recently formed Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), prompting the much older All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) to raise objections and threaten legal decision to grant recognition to IPA was taken on April 25, making it eligible for financial grants and autonomy to regulate, promote and develop the sport IPA has been recognised by the ministry after a representation by the body a few days ago," a sports ministry official told PTI. Pickleball, which has its origins in the USA, combines elements of tennis, table tennis and badminton. It is played in both singles and doubles format using a paddle and a perforated hollow plastic ball volleyed across a court that is the same size as a doubles' badminton court with a slightly low-placed net."This is a defining moment, but we see it as just the beginning. Our focus is firmly on the future, building a pipeline of talent, creating career opportunities, and ensuring every Indian has access to the joy and benefits of pickleball," IPA President Suryaveer Singh Bhullar posted on QUESTIONS GOVERNMENT 'S DECISIONThe AIPA issued a statement questioning the ministry's move, claiming it to be the "pioneering body responsible for introducing and nurturing Pickleball in India since 2007–08."advertisement"This decision is not only disheartening but raises serious concerns regarding transparency and fairness in sports governance. In the interest of fair play and sportsmanship, we urge the Ministry to reconsider its decision and uphold the values of clean sports," AIPA President Arvind Prabhoo AIPA cited a clause in the 2011 National Sports Code which mandates that for a body to be considered a National Sports Federation, it should have "actively existed for more than three years on the date of application for recognition."The IPA was registered in November last year as per the records of the Registrar of Companies, while the AIPA had completed this formality back in AIPA statement alleged that the Ministry's move appears to have been influenced by "undue lobbying and misleading representations made by the newly formed entity.""The AIPA gave a representation to the Sports Ministry on October 18 last year. But the Ministry has decided to grant recognition to a four-month old company that has no organisational set-up, no district level presence like us," AIPA Treasurer Nikhil Mathare told PTI."Given the exemptions that have been made for AIPA, we are left with no choice but to take legal recourse. But we will have a conversation with the ministry before we proceed with it," he global administration has also witnessed a fair number of tug of wars over the years. There are three bodies that claim to be global governing bodies of the International Pickleball Federation (IPF), the World Pickleball Federation (WPF) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF). The IPF came into existence in 2010, followed by the WPF in 2018, while the GPF was founded in 2023 after the USA broke ranks with the IPF
Mint
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Pickleball lands in administrative tug of war after ministry grants recognition to IPA
New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) Just about finding its space in India right now, pickleball is already embroiled in an administrative turf war after the Sports Ministry granted national federation status to the recently-formed Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), prompting the much older All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) to raise objections and threaten legal action. The decision to grant recognition to IPA was taken on April 25, making it eligible for financial grants and autonomy to regulate, promote and develop the sport nationally. "The IPA has been recognised by the ministry after a representation by the body a few days ago," a sports ministry official told PTI. Pickleball, which has its origins in the USA, combines elements of tennis, table tennis and badminton. It is played in both singles and doubles format using a paddle and a perforated hollow plastic ball volleyed across a court that is the same size as a doubles badminton court with a slightly low-placed net. "This is a defining moment, but we see it as just the beginning. Our focus is firmly on the future, building a pipeline of talent, creating career opportunities, and ensuring every Indian has access to the joy and benefits of pickleball," IPA President Suryaveer Singh Bhullar posted on Instagram. The AIPA issued a statement to question the Ministry's move, claiming to be the "pioneering body responsible for introducing and nurturing Pickleball in India since 2007–08" "This decision is not only disheartening but raises serious concerns regarding transparency and fairness in sports governance. In the interest of fair play and sportsmanship, we urge the Ministry to reconsider its decision and uphold the values of clean sports," AIPA President Arvind Prabhoo stated. The AIPA cited a clause in the 2011 National Sports Code which mandates that for a body to be considered a National Sports Federation, it should have "actively existed for more than three years on the date of application for recognition." The IPA was registered in November last year as per the records of the Registrar of Companies, while the AIPA had completed this formality back in 2008. The AIPA statement alleged that the Ministry's move appears to have been influenced by "undue lobbying and misleading representations made by the newly formed entity." "The AIPA gave a representation to the Sports Ministry on October 18 last year. But the Ministry has decided to grant recognition to a four-month old company that has no organisational set-up, no district level presence like us," AIPA Treasurer Nikhil Mathare told PTI. "Given the exemptions that have been made for AIPA, we are left with no choice but to take legal recourse. But we will have a conversation with the ministry before we proceed with it," he added. Pickleball's global administration has also witnessed a fair amount of tug of wars over the years. There are three bodies that claim to be global governing bodies of the sport. The International Pickleball Federation (IPF), the World Pickleball Federation (WPF) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF). The IPF came into existence in 2010, followed by the WPF in 2018, while the GPF was founded in 2023 after the USA broke ranks with the IPF. The IPF and WPF have been working towards merger since last year and the AIPA is affiliated to the former. The IPA is aligned with GPF, which claims to have most number of international members at 52 right now. First Published: 1 May 2025, 01:49 PM IST
