Boxing India stares at another ban from the AIBA

Boxing India (BI) is staring at another possible ban from the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) after state units affiliated to it on Wednesday rejected the decision of the world body to appoint an ad hoc committee to run day-to-day affairs.

The decision leaves India at a risk of another round of sanctions, following the completion of a two-year in February 2014. BI termed the step of constituting a five-member ad hoc committee by international body as “interference into the autonomy of a national federation” and adopted a unanimous resolution to fight against the “autocratic AIBA”.

Last week, AIBA constituted a committee chaired by Kishen Narsi (an AIBA representative), ousted BI secretary-general Jay Kowli, former tennis player Manisha Malhotra and Sports Authority of India (SAI) director general Injeti Srinivas as its members. The fifth member will be a national coach appointed with the approval of AIBA. Also, honorary International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Randhir Singh, the alleged ‘mastermind’, was named advisor to the five-member body. Given that he is at loggerheads with Abhay Singh Chautala, the man believed to be controlling BI, Singh’s appointment is being questioned in BI circles. In fact, that’s the main reason why BI officials are taking on the might of AIBA.

The ad hoc body’s main task is to find suitable candidates for the post of president and secretary general after the disgruntled BI faction voted out former BI chief Sandeep Jajodia and Kowli. Also, the body has been asked to hold the junior national camps and organise the sub-junior and junior championships at the earliest.

In brief, AIBA’s diktat simply means that any “individual or group” which would want to control the affairs of BI must have the approval of the ad hoc committee.

“BI is not a recognised body as it failed to get the recognition from the sports ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). They are also not registered under the Societies Act. So, how could they govern the sport in the country?” asked Narsi, adding, “By defying the AIBA’s decision, you are again staring at a possible ban. Remember the Olympics are scheduled to take place next year.”

However, the BI faction, led by senior vice-president Meren Paul, has refused to bow down to AIBA’s “high-handed approach” despite the fact that the body now stands defunct. “We will soon hold elections to the post of president and secretary-general. We will also hold the junior national camps and select the teams for the junior nationals. We will continue to work like we have been working since September. AIBA cannot impose its decision on us. There are some vested interests in the Indian boxing fraternity. They are prompting AIBA to issue such notifications,” Paul said after the meeting.