BFI heads for reckoning: General secretary calls on SGM to table motion of no confidence in federation boss

Boxing Federation of India (BFI) President Ajay Singh NEW DELHI: The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) is headed for a showdown, with general secretary Pramod Kumar calling a special general meeting (SGM) on October 24 to move a no-confidence motion against president Ajay Singh, even as Singh said the federation’s priority must remain preparing boxers for the Los Angeles Olympics.A notice issued to affiliated state departments cited alleged unilateral decision-making, unauthorized changes to the constitution, intimidation of state associations, financial irregularities, administrative overreach and conflicts with elected office holders among the reasons for the motion. TOI has a copy of the move. It was found that 28 of the 35 state BFI member units had signed the motion of no confidence.Kumar also issued a cease-and-desist notice to BFI executive director Col Arun Malik, asking him to stop acting on Singh’s behest or authority, especially in matters falling within the constitutional purview of the secretary general. Malik was also asked to stop unauthorized access or use of the Secretary General’s official email account. Kumar warned of legal action if the alleged conduct continued.However, Singh reacted strongly and tried to shift the focus to the athletes. “We must focus on our boxers and their preparation for the Olympics. The BFI will do everything in its power to provide them with the support and conditions they need to succeed. We will take the strongest possible action against any attempt to disrupt their training or hinder the progress of Indian boxing,” he said.The key point of contention is the constitutional provision governing the SGM. The BFI Constitution, currently available on its website, provides that an SGM may be called by the President or at the request of two-thirds of the Executive Committee, with the meeting to be called within 30 days of such request.However, the rival camp cited another constitution of the BFI, which it says is approved by the government. It provides that the General Secretary shall convene an SGM upon receipt of a written request from the President or at least 15 members or at the direction of the Executive Council, with the meeting to be held 20-30 days after receipt of the request.Singh’s camp has argued that this is an old constitution that no longer exists or has no relevance, and that the version currently on the BFI website is the valid constitution approved by World Boxing.