Indian boxing in the mud, ex-pros seek system overhaul

NO sport had seen such a slump like boxing last year.

- Indraneel Das

The sport that is among the well-funded and supported by the sports ministry and Sports Authority of India through various schemes had the worst possible 2024 that culminated in zero medal at the Paris Olympics. In fact, such was the situation that until about the last qualification tournament, no male boxer had qualified for the Olympics.

For a better future, former boxers and experts feel it's time Boxing Federation of India (BFI) usher in fundamental changes to their strategy to rebuild boxing and its legacy. The sport has seen maximum funding in the last Olympic cycle. According to a SAI document Pathway to Paris, ₹60.93 crore was spent for 17 national camps and 23 foreign exposure trips abroad. The team went and spent almost a month in Saarbrucken to acclimatise before leaving for Paris. There were about eight sparring partners for five boxers and 16 coaches and support staff including a chef. The preparation looked great but results did not.