In a significant development for Indian boxing, Santiago Nieva has agreed to return to the national setup as the head coach of the women's boxing team. The Swede-Argentinian coach, who previously served as high-performance director for Indian men's boxing between 2017 and 2022, will begin his second stint by mid-December.
Contract Details and Remuneration
The Boxing Federation of India has proposed a three-year contract running until the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 for Nieva. According to sources, his monthly remuneration will be $12,000 – exactly double what he earned during his previous tenure with the Indian boxing team. The appointment was officially confirmed on Wednesday, and Nieva has already signed the contract with the Sports Authority of India.
Perfect Timing for Women's Boxing
BFI president Ajay Singh expressed enthusiasm about Nieva's return, stating it comes at an ideal moment for Indian women's boxing. "Santiago's return comes at the perfect moment for Indian women's boxing," Singh said. "His technical depth, global experience and proven leadership fit seamlessly into our long-term vision."
Singh further emphasized that "the recent achievements of our women boxers show what this programme is capable of, and with Santiago guiding the next phase of growth, we believe we can build a sustained pathway towards podium success at the highest level."
Background and Previous Stint
Nieva had resigned from his position as high-performance director ahead of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 after failing to secure a lengthy contract extension. Following his departure from India, he associated with Boxing Australia as a coach before agreeing to rejoin Indian boxing.
The BFI president also acknowledged the contributions of D Chandralal, the current head coach of the women's team, confirming that Chandralal will continue to remain an important part of the coaching setup despite Nieva's appointment.
Nieva's return comes at a time when Indian women boxers have been delivering impressive performances both at the World Championships and the recent World Boxing Cup Finals, while the men's team has struggled with consistency. His appointment is expected to bolster India's medal prospects leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
