IBA President, Umar Kremlev addressed delegates of the American Boxing Confederation (AMBC) at the Continental Forum that took place today in Havana, Cuba on the eve of International Boxing Day.
President Kremlev underlined the special occasion of the 50th anniversary of the inaugural IBA World Boxing Championships that took place in August 1974 in Havana.
“Cuba is a great example of how boxing can highlight the whole nation and make it known worldwide,” he said.
“Cuba, in fact, is a country of freedom and independence, the values we share so much at IBA. Our presence in Cuba proves once again that we support these values,” Mr. Kremlev added.
The IBA President added that the AFBC National Federations should not hesitate to communicate with the IBA, should they experience any challenges.
“International Federations exist to serve athletes, coaches, and their National Federations, and the IBA is a role model as to how this should function. We create the conditions for our boxers to compete, to provide for their families,” Kremlev continued.
“There is no alternative to the IBA, as we are the Home of Boxing. The impostors who pretend to be “an international federation” are aiming to take away those privileges from our NFs, they do not have funds to support members. Time will show who is right, as no other organisation can offer the same what IBA offers,” he affirmed.
He reminded that 2024 is the Year of Americas at IBA and that the continent is in the spotlight.
“As we celebrate the IBA Year of Americas, our goal is to organize more sporting and development events on the continent. We are eagerly waiting for the bids from the National Federations to host our future events, from IBA Champions’ Nights to educational courses,” said Mr. Kremlev.
“I also would like to see that one of the countries of the American continent will host the IBA World Boxing Championships in the foreseeable future.”
Credit: IBA