The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has officially confirmed that the boxers selected during the recent trials at the NS NIS Patiala will represent the country at the Asian Games. This clarification came after the Sports Authority of India (SAI) raised objections regarding the federation's plans for a further assessment process following the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Glasgow.
Background of the Confusion
The confusion arose after BFI shared minutes of its selection committee meetings, held on May 15 and May 18, with SAI. The federation had conducted the Patiala trials from May 13 to 15 to select teams for both the CWG and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Participating boxers were informed that the winners would directly qualify for both events.
However, uncertainty emerged when the minutes stated: “...the performance of the individual boxers after CWG will be assessed by the selection committee. If required, evaluation in a particular weight category based on the assessment may be undertaken between main and reserve for the Asian Games 2026.” The Times of India is in possession of the minutes and the email exchanges between SAI and BFI.
SAI Raises Concerns
SAI questioned the feasibility of such a process, noting that the CWG concludes on August 2, whereas the final deadline for submitting entries by name for the Asian Games is June 10. In an email to BFI, SAI stated that while assessments for the CWG and Asian Games had been conducted from May 13 to 15, the proceedings regarding Asian Games selections were missing and sought clarification along with the final list of selected boxers.
Initially, BFI had only shared separate Excel sheets for the CWG, World Boxing Cup in China, and Grand Prix Czech Republic squads. Following SAI’s objections, the federation sent a separate final Asian Games team list and clarified that no further assessment or trials would be conducted.
Stay updated with IPL Live Score and the latest IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL schedule and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
