Santiago Nieva, the former High Performance Director (HPD) with the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), is likely to return to India in a senior coaching role with the women's team. Nieva, who served as HPD for five years, is currently the head coach of Boxing Australia's (BA) High Performance unit.
The BFI is reportedly eager to bring Nieva back, and his contract is currently being worked out by the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Pending approval from the Ministry, Nieva is expected to join the women's team as a high-performance coach. The HPD post has been vacant since Irishman Bernard Dunne resigned in March after the team's performance at the Olympic qualifiers in Italy. The BFI is still using the assessment and evaluation system introduced by Dunne at the national camp.
Nieva's earlier stint with the Indian national team began in 2017. A highlight of his time with the team was twin medals at the 2019 men's World Championships, where Amit Panghal clinched a silver and Manish Kaushik won a bronze. In 2021, India sent its largest-ever boxing contingent to the Tokyo Olympics after nine boxers qualified for the Games, with Lovlina Borgohain winning a bronze medal in the women's 69kg event.
The women's team, currently coached by D Chandralal, recently won four medals at this year's World Championships, including two gold medals. They are looking to continue their success at next month's World Cup Final in Greater Noida. Earlier in the year, the women's team excelled at the second stage of the World Boxing Cup held in Astana, securing three gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.
According to sources, Nieva is awaiting final confirmation from the sports ministry before resigning from his current role. As of now, there are no foreign coaches with the senior teams. Nieva's return would be a significant boost for the Indian women's boxing team as they prepare for upcoming major international events. The federation wants to maintain continuity and believes that Nieva's tactical and technical expertise has greatly benefited the boxers.
