Maharashtra politician Ashish Shelar, who is also a lawyer by profession, is confident of winning the Boxing Federation of India elections next month.
At a media interaction in New Delhi on Thursday, both Shelar and Jay Kowli minced no words when they said the “current dispensation” of the BFI had done nothing worth note.
“Let me tell you, something as basic as holding the junior level national tournaments have not been done properly by the BFI in the last four years. Yes, nine boxers have qualified for the postponed Tokyo Olympics but a lot more needs to be done,” said Shelar.
Asked specifically what was his link with boxing, Shelar said he was a sportsperson at heart. “I have known Jay for many years and let me remind you the Kirti College in Mumbai which I run has promoted boxing well over the years. I may not have been an active boxer but certainly I am familiar with sport as I have played football and cricket,” said Shelar.
He felt postponing the BFI elections was wrong. “So many sports federations had their elections and even state elections to the assembly in Bihar could be held despite Covid-19 in November 2020. It was only Ajay Singh and the BFI which got these elections postponed. I am confident my team and I will win the elections on February 3 with at least 70 per cent votes in our favour,” he added.
Shelar was categorical when asked a question where the BFI headquarters would be based if he wins. “It is not about the BFI permanent office being in Mumbai as I live there. The boxing fraternity at large needs to take a call on it,” he said.
Seasoned Kay Kowli was in for some tight questioning at the media interaction as he is the current BFI secretary. “I was never happy with the BFI functioning. It was run out of the Spicejet office in Gurugram. When we had AGMs, there was no democratic process followed and meetings were rushed through. Even to get the audited accounts copies was a big deal,” said Kowli. Kowli is not contesting the elections this time.
Kowli, a former cricketer who is now more well versed with boxing, and its officiating said the talent pool in India has not been built upon. “There is so much more which could have been done. Indian boxing suffered in 2016 during the Rio Olympics as there was no elected body in place. After that, this set-up has not done anything worth note,” he said.
Both Shelar and Kowli spoke of how the electoral college was being “manipulated” by current president Ajay Singh. Shelar will be filing his nomination in Gurugram today.
For the record, as per the sport’s ministry’s directive, elections to the BFI should have been completed by December 31, 2020.
Mr. S. Kannan
Senior, Sports Journalist
