Indian Boxing Federation’s suspension to continue
5 Dec 2013 5:08 AM IST
The Indian Boxing Federation’s suspension will not be lifted after it failed to call fresh elections needed for it to return to the international fold.
The IBF was suspended last December by the sport’s world body, the International Boxing Association (AIBA), for not following proper election procedures when it elevated previous president Abhay Singh Chautala to chairman of the body. It is also no longer recognized by India’s sports ministry. The AIBA had set a Wednesday deadline to organize new elections, which the IBF hasn’t done.
Sebastien Gillot, AIBA spokesman, said on Tuesday that the governing body has “worked to try and find a way forward for boxing in India” but the process has become difficult due to problems among various factions of the IBF.
Boxing is an important sport for India as it has recently started to win medals in the Olympics and other international competitions. Vijender Singh won India’s first boxing Olympic medal when he took bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Female boxer MC Mary Kom also won bronze at the London Olympics.
The Indian Olympic Association was also suspended last year by the International Olympic Committee for not following its own constitution and electing tainted officials, notably its new secretary-general Lalit Bhanot.
The IBF was suspended last December by the sport’s world body, the International Boxing Association (AIBA), for not following proper election procedures when it elevated previous president Abhay Singh Chautala to chairman of the body. It is also no longer recognized by India’s sports ministry. The AIBA had set a Wednesday deadline to organize new elections, which the IBF hasn’t done.
Sebastien Gillot, AIBA spokesman, said on Tuesday that the governing body has “worked to try and find a way forward for boxing in India” but the process has become difficult due to problems among various factions of the IBF.
Boxing is an important sport for India as it has recently started to win medals in the Olympics and other international competitions. Vijender Singh won India’s first boxing Olympic medal when he took bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Female boxer MC Mary Kom also won bronze at the London Olympics.
The Indian Olympic Association was also suspended last year by the International Olympic Committee for not following its own constitution and electing tainted officials, notably its new secretary-general Lalit Bhanot.
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