LAGOS – India risks another ban from international boxing after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) rejected Boxing India’s (BI) application for national federation recognition.
According to “Inside Games,” an online news portal on Sunday, the IOA had backed the controversial Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF), instead of BI.
The portal stated that the IOA had served a 14-month suspension from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), lifted in February.
It noted that IOA was suspended by the Indian Government and the International Boxing Association (AIBA) in December 2012 for not holding elections under the Olympic Charter.
According to the portal, in spite of the above claims, the IOA reached a unanimous decision recently to still recognise the IABF, while the national apex sports body recognised BI.
It said that N. Ramachandran, the IOA President, declared that it was a unanimous view and that the recognised body for India would be IABF.
“There were disputes and IOA constituted an Ad Hoc Committee, but subsequently AIBA recognised BI.
“IOA took up the matter with AIBA President; we wanted the elections to be held under the aegis of the IOA with AIBA observers present.
“AIBA did not accept these suggestions and BI held its elections under the supervision of AIBA where neither the Government of India nor IOA observers was present,” it quoted Ramachandran as saying.
According to it, Sandeep Jajodia, BI President termed the move a retrograde one, adding that the IOA was indulging in adhocism.
“This is an unfortunate development for boxing in the country; we conducted free and fair elections in the presence of an AIBA observer.
“Within a month of being recognised by AIBA, we conducted the women’s nationals and are set to hold the men’s nationals in January.
“What logical reason does the IOA have for not offering us recognition and instead offering its support to a now-defunct IABF?
“This is nothing but an influenced move, a politically motivated one,” it quoted Jajodia as saying.
The portal also noted that AIBA bestowed full membership on BI in September, following which the latter applied to the IOA and Sports Ministry for recognition.
It then said the President of IOA rejected the unilateral sanction by the international body.
“If an election of a sports federation in India is held, it is but natural for the IOA to be informed.
“Unilateral sanction by the international body cannot be accepted.
“The autonomy of IOA cannot be compromised under any circumstance.” it quoted the IOA president as saying. (NAN)
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