April began with the Sports Ministry of India derecognising the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) with immediate effect as the IABF refused to comply with the ministry’s directives.
As International Boxing Association (AIBA), the sport’s governing body, had already withdrawn its recognition of IABF, it meant that the Indian pugilists competing at the World Youth Boxing Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, had to compete under AIBA’s flag. The results weren’t all that promising either, as only two Indians booked a place in the Youth Olympics.
Shyam Kakara (49 kg) was the lone medallist, bagging a bronze after going down in the semi-finals, thereby gaining direct entry to the Youth Olympics. Gaurav Solanki (52 kg) lost his quarter-final bout, which meant that he did not gain qualification directly. He got two more chances though, and he made it count in his final bout, grabbing a place in the Youth Olympics.
