Under pressure from the International Boxing Association (AIBA) to set its house in order, the Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) has said it is ready to hold elections again.
AIBA had provisionally suspended the IBF last December due to the IOC suspending IOA and ‘possible manipulation’ in the IBF elections.
However, the apex body has been permitting IBF to field boxers in various international events, despite not being allowed to participate under the National flag. AIBA, in its annual meeting held at Jeju Island, Korea last month, decided to give the IBF an ultimatum to “organise new elections as soon as possible (within three months, but no later than November 4), according to the AIBA statutes and bylaws as well as election guidelines.”
“The IBF constitution was also recently revised by AIBA and sent back to the IBF for its comments and approval. No communication has been received so far from the IBF,” said AIBA PR and communications director Sebastien Gillot via email on Wednesday.
However, IBF secretary-general Rajesh Bhandari claimed that the National federation had “sent its reply on the amended constitution yesterday (Tuesday).”
Final approval
Bhandari said the date for elections will be decided after receiving final approval from AIBA. “After that, we have to call a meeting of our general house, which has to approve the revised constitution. Following this, the dates of elections can be finalised.”
Since the IBF has to give a one-month notice for its elections, the possibility of the National federation meeting the November 4 deadline looks remote. “After receiving a nod, we have to write to the AIBA for a new date.”
AIBA, however, has warned that the IBF will remain suspended until it holds elections.
“All its membership rights have been suspended, including participation of Indian boxers and coaches in any AIBA competition, except those for which an authorisation to participate has already been granted; the AIBA world boxing championships in Almaty this year being a case in respect.”
“By allowing IBF time to reorganise itself, the AIBA executive committee is giving it a chance to resolve this matter,” said Gillot.
