Frustrated by Indian Olympic Association's refusal to grant them recognition, Boxing India President Sandeep Jajodia said he was 'baffled' by IOA's logic.
He stopped short of saying retirement but India's long-serving national boxing coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu has hinted at stepping down from his position after next month's Olympics, saying that he wants to 'rest' post the Rio campaign.
In a double jolt for Indian boxing, middle-weight pugilist Manjit Singh has been suspended for two years after failing a dope test while fellow glovesman Baljeet Singh's 'A' sample has also tested positive.
The suspended Indian Boxing Federation (IABF) claims to have taken the first step towards regaining recognition from the International Boxing Association by preparing the draft of an amended constitution which would be compliant with the AIBA statute.
With the Ireland weather similar to London, this is basically seen as a trip to help the young squad get acclimatized to the conditions likely to be encountered at the Olympic Games.
'A few months ago, everybody was saying, "Why isn't Vijender taking part in the Olympics?"' 'This is not like going to Haryana or Delhi that you just take a ticket and reach there.' 'Going to the Olympics is not easy'
Debutant Akash Kumar (54kg) secured India's first medal at the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Belgrade on Tuesday after advancing to the semi-finals with a superb win over former Olympic silver-medallist Yoel Finol Rivas of Venezuela.
Panghal and Kaushik have entered the semi-finals at the Worlds, making it the first time when India have more than one boxer in fray for the medal rounds of the marquee event.
The Mission Olympic Cell is also considering higher incentives for retired Olympians and world-class players who want to take up coaching, in an effort to retain top talent within India.
The suspended Indian Boxing Federation has infuriated the International Boxing Association (AIBA) yet again and it is the pugilists who are paying the price for their refusal to act according to the world body's diktat.
Nikhat from Telengana was handed the fourth spot in the 51 kg category which already has the six-time World Champion MC Mary Kom, RSPB's Jyoti Gulia and Haryana's Ritu Grewal as other contenders.
'And when I say sabotage I mean people who are not happy to see India rise as a sporting nation. This girl has been through so much, your heart breaks for her. What more could she have done? Which other test?'
Medals eluded them but not the spotlight as the Indian men's boxing team shared the dais with London Olympics bronze-winning woman pugilist M C Mary Kom at a felicitation function organised by sponsors Monnet Group in New Delhi on Thursday.
Incidentally, all three pugilists are currently embroiled in court case with the BFI over selection for the Asian Games.
India gave a spirited fight but lost to Thailand 2-3 in a high-octane clash of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers in Chonburi on Sunday.
All sectoral indices ended lower. BSE Telecommunication tanked 2.18 per cent, metal (1.77 per cent), auto (1.70 per cent), energy (1.64 per cent), oil & gas (1.59 per cent), commodities (1.39 per cent) and financial services (1.37 per cent) were the major laggards.
A day after the Ministry of Home Affairs allowed sports complexes and stadia to open without spectators, National Sports Federations were deliberating ways to facilitate training of at least the Olympic-bound athletes. The lockdown has been extended till May 31.
Former World Championship silver medallist L Sarita Devi, who lost to five-time world champion M C Mary Kom in the trials, was included in the Indian women's boxing team for the November Asian Games as a reserve.
'It is an extraordinary situation no doubt but we are all hoping for this to be brought under control by June', says BFI confident of COVID-19 storm passing.
World Championships silver medallist Amit Panghal qualified for the Paris Olympic after defeating China's Chuang Liu in the 51kg quarter-finals of the second World Qualification Tournament in Bangkok on Sunday.
Vijender Singh, Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar will return to the ring when the national camp kicks off in Patiala from October 1.
Ashish Kumar continued his brilliant form at the 2022 Thailand Open international boxing tournament as he entered the finals alongside India's three other pugilists in Phuket on Wednesday.
Indian Boxing Federation on Tuesday said World Champion MC Mary Kom's suspension could be revoked if the ace pugilist apologises to the jury for her "unsporting behaviour" during the senior National Boxing Championship.
India suffered one of its most embarrassing defeat in recent years despite Sunil Chhetri's 94th international goal in his 150th match.
Nikhat notched up an easy 5-0 win over South Korea's Chorong Bak in the second round of the women's event.
With the country's boxing administration in a shambles, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) said on Wednesday that the top pugilists may not be able to compete in the upcoming Asian Games under the national flag if the elections are not held as per schedule next month.
With Simranjit (60kg), Sakshi (54kg), and Jaismine (57kg) progressing into the last-4 stage, the women's team has confirmed India a medal in each weight category.
Four-time world champion M C Mary Kom's suspension, for "unsporting behaviour" after her quarterfinal loss in the ongoing Women's National Boxing Championship, was revoked on Wednesday.
Nikhat made short work of Brazil's Caroline De Almeida to notch up a dominant 5-0 win.
Deepak clinched one of the most memorable wins of his career with a 4-1 win over more fancied Zoirov
Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports led the tributes for the champion pugilist.
A cash bonanza awaits Indian boxers if they notch up medals at the London Olympics.
Defending champion M C Merykom had an easy victory in the 46 kg class semi-finals of the women's World Boxing Championships, beating Russia's Sabitova Elena.
Indian Boxing Federation's Secretary General Brig P K Muralidharan Raja will be the deputy Chef-de-Mission of the country's contingent in this year's London Olympics after being nominated for the job by IOA.
In a change of guard at the Indian Boxing Federation, Rajasthan BJP MLA Abhishek Matoria was elected President of the body on Sunday.
Sports Ministry asks IOA to allow Lovlina's coach into CWG Village: Sources
Shiva Thapa will next face Nader Odah of Kuwait in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
India crashed out of the SAFF Women's Championship as they lost to Nepal 2-4 in penalty shootout in the semifinal match marred by utter confusion after the home side held up play for more than one hour in protest against a decision of the referee, in Kathmandu on Sunday.
Amit Panghal (52kg) picked up his second successive gold medal of the year
'He was not the hit and run kind of a boxer, but a very intelligent boxer.' 'His presence of mind in the ring brought him glory in many international tournaments.'
