AIBA Terminates Indian Amateur Boxing Federation’s Membership -By Michael O’Neill
“It is believed that the only way to get the sport of boxing back on track in India would be for it to be left in the hands of trustful, clean and honest people who love boxing and to give the opportunity to any group of people with passion and love for our sport to submit applications for the establishment of a new National Federation. AIBA will however not tolerate any governmental or sports authority interference in this process.” [Courtesy photo above oj Kom].
Boxers and coaches will remain protected and authorized to compete at any competition at all levels under the AIBA flag. AIBA also hopes that the IOA will give its full cooperation until AIBA approves a new National Federation for the sake of the sport of boxing in India.
“AIBA will now wait for requests by any organization or person to submit an application and once contacted, full guidelines for the new application process will be given”, the statement concluded.
The AIBA had learnt that the IABF planned to hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) March 4th to agree a new constitution and had already made their views known to Indian Sporting Authorities inc the IOA.
“As far as AIBA is concerned the IBF does not have any validly appointed officials. In other words, it is the position of AIBA that the organisation or persons who are attempting to convene the March 4 meeting and AGM have no authority or the right to do so,” AIBA Executive Director Ho Kim had said.
Indian boxers including the great Mery Kom will be anxious to ensure that all outstanding issues – including long term funding – are resolved well before November’s World Championships in Jeju Island, South Korea. Also on the agenda, for the country’s women boxers, this year are the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July, the Youth Olympics in Nanjing in August, the Asian Games and before that the World Youth Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria in April, all of which will require advance planning and funding.
At the time of writing the IABF were unavailable for comment. More news from India here on WBAN.com as we get it.