New Delhi: The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has announced the appointment of Santiago Nieva as the Head Coach of the Indian Women's National Boxing Team. This marks a significant return for the Argentine-born Swede, who previously served as India's High Performance Director from 2017 to 2021. The BFI's decision signifies a strategic move to further elevate the performance of the women's boxing team as they gear up for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle.
Nieva brings a wealth of experience to the role, boasting over two decades of elite international coaching. Before returning to India, he served as the National Head Coach and Technical Lead for Boxing Australia's High Performance Unit. His resume also includes a successful stint as the Head Coach and Sports Director for Sweden's national program, where he guided athletes through various international competitions, including World Championships and Olympic qualifiers.
Nieva's earlier tenure with the Indian national team was marked by notable achievements. Under his guidance, Indian boxers secured two podium finishes at the 2019 Men's World Championships: Amit Panghal's silver and Manish Kaushik's bronze. He also played a role in India fielding its largest-ever boxing squad at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where Lovlina Borgohain clinched a bronze medal.
The appointment comes at a time when Indian women's boxing is experiencing significant momentum. The team recently achieved a historic feat at the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 in Greater Noida, securing a complete medal sweep with seven gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. Several of these medals were won in key Olympic weight categories, highlighting the team's potential for the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics.
BFI President Ajay Singh expressed his enthusiasm about Nieva's return, emphasizing his "technical depth, global experience, and proven leadership" as a perfect fit for the federation's long-term vision. Singh also acknowledged the contributions of D Chandralal, the former head coach of the Elite Women's Team, who will continue to be an integral part of the Indian coaching setup.
Nieva himself expressed excitement about his return to India, stating, "Super excited to come back to India. I had five wonderful years here in my previous stint. I am very much looking forward to this next chapter, and hopefully, we can create something big together". He further added, "There is huge potential within the Indian women's team, and in LA (Olympics 2028), we'll be aiming for something big and create history".
With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics on the horizon and an increased emphasis on gender parity in boxing, Nieva's focus will be on establishing Indian women as consistent medal contenders across all weight categories. The BFI's commitment to high-performance systems, scientific training, and world-class coaching standards, coupled with Nieva's expertise, signals a promising future for Indian women's boxing. Nieva's contract with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) extends for three years until the Los Angeles Olympics 2028, with a monthly compensation of $12,000. He is expected to begin his second stint by mid-December, prior to the national championships which begin on December 25.
