India's performance in RIO Olympics 2016 is dispiriting especially in the boxing sport. What has been the reason of India being not able to perform well in boxing consistently. Do the recently reformulated Boxing Federation of India has the potential to change things on ground level. Discuss the steps taken by the federation after its formulation. Also suggest steps to improve and encourage the boxing sport in the country.

Indian boxing was on a rise from 2008 to 2012, but unfortunately tanked from 2012 till 2016 more due to administrative issues than sporting ones.
Reasons for India’s dispiriting performance

• IABA ban by AIBA in 2012 on Indian referees and judges (boxing is a subjective sport)
• Loss of government recognition and funding from 2008-2012 for National Championships resulting in inadequate training opportunities.
• Movement of Olympic winners (Vijender Singh) into professional boxing

Potential of BFI to change things at ground level
The BFI can change things on a ground level as it has increased the number of zones and vice presidents to 8, thus encouraging more local participation.
Steps taken by the federation after its formulation
The BFI has already mentioned of training of Indian boxers with Australian boxers in February 2018. Such international exposure will increase the competitiveness of the boxers.
Steps to improve boxing in the country

• Better training to coaches at all levels so that boxers ingrain the right techniques at an early age
• More competitions: The current setup of only State and National competitions only is not enough to ensure consistent preparation
• Encouraging boxers at a young age by setting up training centres across the country.

India being the youngest country in the world in 2016 and its economic growth indicate that there are ample opportunities for boxing to thrive if the right system is in place.