Boxing Federation of India writes to the countries that have pulled out of the Women’s Boxing World Championships

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has tried to open dialogue with the countries that have decided to boycott the upcoming Women’s Boxing World Championships in Delhi.

The Boxing Federation of India maintains that it is hardly disheartened or disillusioned by the growing number of countries who have taken the decision to boycott the Women’s Boxing World Championships which will be held in New Delhi from March 15.

Their strong decision to pull out of the competition comes in the wake of a growing discontent with the International Boxing Association (IBA) and following their controversial decision to lift the ban on Russian and Belarusian boxers, allowing them to compete under their own national flag and anthem and going against the recommendation set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) because of the ongoing war with Ukraine.

The IBA is a heavily Russian-backed organisation and its growing influence is also a major pain point for the United States of America and its allies. As such, several countries that include USA, Britain, Ireland, Canada, Sweden, Poland, Netherlands, Czech Republic and Ukraine.

The BFI has found itself in the middle of this crisis but maintains that there is no reason for discontentment.

"I don't know why we should even think that it's disheartening because we have 74 countries that are coming in. Just a very few countries have pulled out," BFI executive director Col Arun Malik told PTI.

"We have countries like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, China, they are the strongest nations of the world, they are all coming. "I don't think we have any reason to get disheartened. It's a very good response, the numbers are bigger than they were in Istanbul, the countries are more."

350 boxers from 74 different companies have already registered themselves for the upcoming World Championships. Included among them are seven previous Olympic medallists.

The BFI, however, has decided to write a letter to the countries that are boycotting the tournament and wants to open a dialogue. They are hopeful that they can change the minds of some of the nations and get them to compete in the event being held in New Delhi in March.

"We have written to six countries that have pulled out. They are open to talking to the President Mr Ajay Singh. We don't know at what level the decision has been taken by them, if the national federation has taken it or the decision is taken by the government.

"But the endeavour is there to get some of these countries if not all to participate," Malik added.

Meanwhile, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) is also in constant conversation with the International Boxing Association (IBA). They acknowledge the fact that the IBA’s stance has put India in a difficult and sensitive spot as a host nation.

"Even when we are interacting, some people have mentioned they would love to play in India, love their athletes to come to India and box here.

"The exposure the Indian boxers can offer, they will not get anywhere else. We have one of the strongest women boxing team in India," Malik further added.