As many as 40 boxers face uncertainty after being omitted from the sanction letter issued by the Sports Authority of India for the national camp, casting doubt on their participation in the selection assessment process for this year’s Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
According to the Boxing Federation of India’s selection policy, the top two finishers across 20 weight categories — 10 each in the men’s and women’s sections — at the Chief of Army Staff Cup, held from March 30 to April 5, were to be included in the national camp, which was scheduled to begin on April 25.
The policy, released in December last year, stated that these 40 boxers would be eligible for the assessment trials to determine India’s squads for the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the World Boxing Cup 2.
However, the sanction letter received by the BFI on April 29 did not include the names of these boxers.
“The sanction was received on April 29, 2026, and 40 names are currently missing from the list,” the federation said in a notification on Friday.
It is understood that the BFI has been in constant communication with SAI to resolve the issue but is yet to receive a response.
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The assessment process, originally scheduled to begin on May 5, has been pushed back by a day and will now start on May 6 due to the uncertainty.
“We were told winning the COAS Cup would get us into the camp. It is the same policy as last year, so I don’t know what the issue is. This is the only way of getting into the camp and vying for the CWG and Asian Games, as I missed the Nationals due to injury.
“I am just hoping the sanction letter arrives over the weekend so that I can reach the camp on time and take part in the assessment,” one of the 40 boxers told PTI.
Under the revised schedule, the assessment will be conducted in two phases. Strength and conditioning tests will be held on May 6 and 7, followed by sparring bouts from May 11 to 15 in a knockout format to determine final standings across weight categories.
The evaluation will carry a total of 200 marks, combining technical and non-technical parameters. Non-technical components, including attendance, weight management, health management, international potential, and strength and conditioning, will contribute alongside technical assessments conducted by a panel of evaluators.
Rankings within each weight category will be determined through a structured knockout format.
The Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2, while the Asian Games is scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi and Nagoya.
Published on May 02, 2026