File image: Boxing coach Santiago Nieva (ANI photo) NEW DELHI: The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) on Wednesday went ahead with the first phase of its evaluation testing process despite objections from the Sports Authority of India (SAI), saying the inclusion of head coaches in the selection panel remained “necessary and inevitable”.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!The evaluation test (selection trials), aimed at selecting the Indian boxing contingent for the upcoming CWG in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Japan, began with a series of rigorous strength and conditioning assessments at NS NIS Patiala. Elite male and female boxers underwent tests such as ‘Countermovement Jump (CMJ), Landmine Throw Test, 30-second Watt Wheel Test and Intermittent Fitness Test (IFT)’ to assess their physical fitness.
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How Sawan Barwal broke India’s longest running record and still wanted moreThe grueling routines, which are performed in the morning and evening sessions, are designed to prepare the athletes for the crucial elimination matches scheduled from May 11 to 15, after which the final squads will be announced.The move comes a day after the SAI raised concerns about the BFI’s selection criteria and assessment framework, warning that the process could be declared “void” if critical details were not provided. The federation gave its detailed response on Wednesday, clarifying its evaluation plan, evaluation mechanisms and the structure of the national coaching camp. TOI has a copy of BFI mail to TOPS SAI division.The BFI insisted that it fully complies with the Sports Ministry’s selection guidelines issued on 5 March 2025. The federation outlined that its High Performance Unit (HPU) includes foreign coach Santiago Neiva, head coach CA Kuttappa and four internationally certified referee-umpires. It also clarified that sports science staff will have no role during the final phase of the assessment.The BFI said the selection committee will include president Ajay Singh, general secretary Pramod Kumar, coaches Neiva and Kuttappa and athletes of exceptional merit (SOM) Rajender Prasad and V Devarajan. The federation emphasized that the inclusion of head coaches ensures “informed performance-based decision-making”.However, sources indicated that SAI’s concerns still remain about potential bias if coaches at the camp evaluate athletes they have previously coached or selected. “The process must withstand challenges from athletes, courts and regulators,” the source said, adding that loopholes in the framework could lead to future disputes.
