Mansukh Mandaviya and Boris van der Vorst discuss Los Angeles 2028 Olympics

According to a Business Standard report, former World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst met Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya and Boxing Federation of India (BFI) president Ajay Singh in New Delhi on Thursday. During this meeting, discussions were primarily held on the progress of boxing in India and preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. In this meeting, Minister Mansukh Mandaviya re-expressed the government's trust in the BFI and its leadership, emphasizing the need to carry forward India's recent performance in major international competitions and convert it into Olympic medals.

Sharing details of this meeting on Instagram, Boris van der Vorst stated that the minister expressed strong support for the federation, Indian boxers, and president Ajay Singh. He emphasized that the government and the country's 1.4 billion population stand firmly behind their ambitions. Van der Vorst added that the minister was enthusiastic about the remarkable progress made by Indian boxing in recent years and India's emergence as a major power on the international boxing stage. Historic medal wins at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games have further reinforced the belief that India has the talent, determination, and capability to translate its ambitions into Olympic success.

According to the report, India carried out a historic campaign in boxing at the 2026 Asian Games, securing a total of six medals, including three golds and three bronzes. Lovlina Borgohain, Parveen Hooda, and Ankush Panghal won gold medals, while Priya Ghanghas, Kapil Pokhriyal, and Narender Berwal won bronze medals. Additionally, at the 2026 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, the Indian boxing contingent achieved its best-ever performance by winning a total of 10 medals, comprising seven golds and three silvers.

Van der Vorst emphasized that turning recent progress into Olympic success will require collective efforts from all stakeholders associated with the sport, including athletes, coaches, the federation, the government, and the entire boxing community. He also quoted Minister Mandaviya's message for the Indian boxing community, which appealed for standing united behind the athletes preparing for the Olympic Games.

Quoting Minister Mandaviya's message, it was stated that when Indian boxers step into the ring in 2028, they should know that the entire country and a united boxing community stand firmly behind them. The future is full of possibilities, and this is the time to turn that potential into Olympic glory. With less than two years remaining for the Los Angeles Olympics, this meeting focused specially on strengthening India's boxing program and carrying forward recent international success to the Olympic stage.