Indian boxing has announced its support for the new organisation but the IBA has yet to receive an official resignation and considers the failure to provide an explanation an “act of cowardice”. The reason for this sudden and unexpected change could be the IOC’s threat to ban boxers from LA2028.
Indian boxing has changed sides. The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) announced last Friday its intention to align itself with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and join the World Boxing. The move marks a departure from the International Boxing Association (IBA) after several decades. The first to be surprised were the members of the IBA who learned of the manoeuvre, announced in Thailand. “We are very disappointed that there has been no communication with us so far. It’s just a matter of common decency to let us know what they’re doing. It goes against their responsibility. They have not discussed it with us, their boxers or their international technical officials who support the IBA.” Chris Roberts, the IBA’s general secretary, told Inside The Games.
The BFI’s resignation has not been formally submitted; in fact, its president, Ajay Singh, remains a vice-president of the IBA. The recent threat by the IOC to ban boxers from national federations that remain within the structure of the IBA is the reason for this decision. According to Roberts: “They are panicked and scared,” but he maintains that the IOC will not carry out this threat. “I don’t believe it. They are not capable. We have never restricted the boxers. They have to control their own destiny,” he adds.
The IBA secretary general claims that the Indian federation’s decision “not only hurts itself but also its own boxers”. Roberts points to an abdication of responsibility on the part of the BFI, which is failing to meet several requirements in this resignation and incorporation into World Boxing. “They signed a contract with the IBA and still owe us the host agreement payments for the 2023 Women’s Championships in Delhi. It’s $1.2 million (€1.1 million). They have only paid half of it in the last two months. Of course, their boxers are the ones who suffer from this non-payment. Their prize money depends on these fees.”
Communication is not out of the question. However, it is difficult because applying for membership of the new organisation implies incompatibility with membership of the IBA. In any case, the future of boxing in the movement remains uncertain. The IOC claims that boxing will be dropped from the Los Angeles 2028 programme if a governing body is not recognised by the end of 2024. This recognition has not yet taken place. There are doubts, uncertainties and fears. “We do not understand why the federations are following the IOC, which is reportedly reducing the number of boxers who may or may not compete in Los Angeles 2028,” says the IBA General Secretary. We hear that there will only be five men’s and five women’s categories at LA28.
There is always the possibility of a domino effect following India’s withdrawal, although, “the opportunities with the IBA are much greater than with anyone else. It’s a ridiculous situation, to be honest.” Roberts points out that his organisation produces 50 events a year, whereas “World Boxing has no calendar”. In the same vein, he admits that “boxers and referees in India are totally disappointed. Some senior officials have said that they do not want to be part of an isolated organisation that has shown no desire for discussion or transparency, and that if the Indian federation goes ahead, they will be left without officials.” In the end, the IBA’s roadmap will not change.
In this scenario, the BFI has agreed to become a member of this new organisation. The membership application has been approved by the BFI General Assembly. It is now subject to ratification by the World Boxing Executive Board. World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst said, “India is a very important country in international boxing. We look forward to welcoming the BFI into the growing World Boxing family. This is a very exciting development that will significantly increase our presence in Asia and I look forward to working closely with the BFI to achieve our common goals.”
For his part, BFI President Ajay Singh said: “It is absolutely vital for the sustainability of the sport of boxing that it retains its Olympic status.” The IBA will continue to defend itself. This is what it said after learning of CAS’s decision to uphold its exclusion as a governing body. Its officials announced that they would use “all legal means at their disposal” to defend themselves. The IOC’s position, as it has stated on several occasions, is that if there is no recognised organisation by the end of this year, it will exclude boxing from the Olympic programme. The IOC reiterated its ultimatum to the national boxing federations. The IBA, for its part, accuses the IOC of “intimidation and threats”. It calls the IOC’s actions “an absolute farce”.
Credit: InsideTheGames
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