Santiago Nieva, the former High Performance Director (HPD) of Indian boxing, will return as the head coach of the Indian women’s boxing team.
Nieva, the Argentine born Swedish coach, who served as the HPD from 2017 to 2022 before switching to Australia for a coaching role there, is expected to join around December 20. He has been hired to train the Indian women’s team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“There is huge potential in the Indian women’s team. In LA28, we will be aiming for something big,” said Nieva.
The BFI is planning to shift D. Chandralal, who served as the women’s head coach for two World Cups, the World championships and the World Boxing Cup Finals with considerable success, to the men’s boxing team for a “strong leadership role.”
However, Chandralal is yet to give his consent for the new role offered to him.
“Current head coach Dharmendra Yadav would also remain within the system,” Boxing Federation of India (BFI) executive director Col. (retd.) Arun Malik told The Hindu on Friday.
Besides, the BFI will look to hire a foreign coach for the men’s team apart from recruiting a coach educator and a development coach for youth and junior boxers by the first quarter of next year.
“These appointments will be done after consulting Nieva, who has a good idea of the coaches available internationally.”
Besides, South African Wayne Lombard would work as a strength and conditioning coach. “He will not work on a full-time basis. Since he has other engagements, he will provide a programme which will be implemented by others,” said Col. Malik.