Indian Boxing rocked by unprecedented power struggle as top officials suspend each other

Indian boxing is reeling from a dramatic administrative crisis after the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) President, Ajay Singh, and Secretary General, Pramod Kumar, issued shocking, reciprocal suspension orders against each other this week. Singh initiated the turmoil by suspending Kumar on October 13, 2026, citing severe allegations including financial irregularities, unauthorized deals with broadcasting agencies, and attempts to destabilize the federation. However, in an unprecedented counter-move, Kumar immediately hit back, 'suspending' Singh and accusing him of treating the BFI as his personal 'fiefdom' and criminal intimidation to block a no-confidence vote. The core of the conflict traces back to significant financial claims of approximately Rs 1.5 crore by Pinnacle Broadcast Productions for the November 2025 World Boxing Finals Cup, allegedly approved by Kumar without proper BFI oversight and exceeding his financial authority. This explosive power struggle deepens existing rifts within the BFI, which has faced scrutiny from the Sports Ministry and seen funds withheld. Critics fear the federation could face de-recognition and the imposition of an ad hoc committee by the Indian Olympic Association, similar to past crises in other Indian sports bodies. All eyes are now on October 28, 2026, when Kumar's faction plans to push a no-confidence motion against President Ajay Singh, a move that the BFI leadership claims Kumar had no authority to call given his prior suspension. This intense internal battle leaves Indian boxing's future uncertain, with major events and athlete welfare potentially hanging in the balance as both sides refuse to back down, awaiting intervention from higher sports authorities to restore order.