Strengthening Indian Boxing: Centralized Training for Global Success

Revamping the National Boxing Program

New Delhi, July 9: To enhance the effectiveness of the national boxing program, the Interim Committee managing the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has reiterated its longstanding policy that prohibits personal coaches and support staff from participating in official national camps. This decision aims to ensure uniform training standards as Indian boxers prepare for significant international competitions, including the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool this September, the World Boxing Cup Finals in New Delhi this November, and the Asian Games next year.

In light of insights gained from India's campaign for the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Boxing Interim Committee has emphasized the necessity of a centralized training approach with high accountability. This structured system, implemented three months ago, mandates that all national campers train solely under coaches appointed by the federation, and it has already begun to show positive outcomes.

Both male and female athletes have made notable advancements, with India achieving six medals at the World Boxing Cup in Brazil and a record 11 medals, including three golds in women's categories, at the Astana event earlier this year.

Col. (Retd.) Arun Malik, Executive Director of BFI and a member of the Interim Committee, highlighted the strategic significance of a centralized training framework. He stated, “A unified, centrally governed training ecosystem is crucial. By consolidating our coaching structure, we can maintain clear performance standards, track progress in real-time, and make necessary adjustments promptly. This approach fosters greater discipline, data-driven feedback, and focuses on long-term athlete development. Our recent medal achievements, particularly at the World Boxing Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan, confirm that a centralized model yields results. We are dedicated to enhancing this system to ensure sustained elite-level success.”

The national camps are currently under the guidance of head coaches D.S. Yadav for men and Dr. Chandralal for women, ensuring technical consistency across various weight classes and competition formats.

This directive marks a pivotal transition in Indian boxing, moving away from fragmented, individual-led training towards a cohesive system aimed at achieving global excellence.