Following the suspension of Indian boxer Parveen Hooda, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), in consultation with the Boxing Paris Unit—responsible for the boxing events at the Paris Olympics—has secured another opportunity for India to qualify in the women’s 57kg weight category. However, India can only send a boxer who was registered as a reserve for the qualifiers before April 11, 2024. This stipulation means that only two boxers, previously named as reserves in the 60 kg and 66 kg categories, are eligible to compete in Bangkok.
Parveen Hooda, who secured a quota for Paris 2024 by winning a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games, has been suspended for 22 months by the International Testing Agency (ITA) due to Whereabouts Failures. Parveen’s legal team, including the Krida Legal team led by Vidushpat Singhania, representatives from OGQ, and officials from the Boxing Federation of India led by Colonel Arun Malik, have been in communication with WADA’s Anti-Doping Ombuds and the ITA, the authority responsible for results management.
“While it’s regrettable that Parveen won’t be able to compete for India and will be serving the suspension, I am happy that we were able to at least reduce the suspension period and she will be back in the ring soon. I also extend my gratitude to all who contributed to securing India’s continued representation in this weight category for the Paris Olympics,” stated Ajay Singh, President of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI).
Following multiple discussions and representations, the ITA has proposed a sanction for Parveen, reducing the ineligibility period from the initial 24 months, backdated by 6 months, to 22 months, backdated by 8 months. This effectively results in a 14-month sanction beginning on May 17, 2024.
“We exhaustively pursued every avenue and explored all potential solutions to safeguard the Olympic quota and supported Praveen against potential suspension. Our proactive outreach to ITA and WADA emphasized the unintentional nature of the boxer’s actions, particularly given her father’s terminal illness,” said Hemanta Kalita, Secretary General, Boxing Federation of India.
“The failure arose on account of Ms. Hooda lacking the ability and technical know-how required for operating the Anti-Doping Administration & Management System (ADAMS) platform, owing to which a gap arose in Ms. Hooda being able to fill her whereabouts information accurately and consistently. Ms. Hooda’s failure to comply in the present instance arose solely on account of her lack of knowledge and technical understanding of the ADAMS platform,” said Singhania, the boxer’s legal counsel.
To reopen the pathway for qualification, the Federation has declined the quota spot won by Parveen in the 57kg category after receiving an email from her expressing sincere regret over her inability to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris and bring glory to India. This decision allows the spot to become eligible for competition at the 2nd World Olympic qualifier, providing India another chance to regain the quota.