IOA surprised by AIBA move

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Sunday expressed surprise that the International Boxing Federation (AIBA) has granted provisional approval to an Indian boxing body without consulting it.

IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta said under the International Olympic Council rules, the AIBA should have consulted the National Olympic Committee before giving approval to the group.

“I have not got any official communication from the AIBA regarding this. Nor my president (N Ramachandran) has got any communication. We don’t know anything about this. We read the news in the newspapers,” Mehta said.

“We should have been consulted by the AIBA because ultimately any National Sports Federation will need the IOA’s recognition and the participation of any Indian athlete (read boxer) in international events will have to go through the IOA,” he said.

He said the IOA was surprised at the development. “We were surprised at the development. I think it (AIBA giving approval to ‘Boxing India’) is not in consonance with IOC rules. Under the Olympic Charter, an NOC (National Olympic Committee) has a special place over any sports activity in the country. The AIBA should have consulted us.” he said. “Senior members of the IOA will meet within a few days in Delhi and take a decision on the future course of action,” he added.

The IOA has set up an ad-hoc committee to look after some of the affairs of boxing in the country and it has been saying that it has sought consent from the AIBA before doing that apart from coordinating with the world body on various issues. Asked about the statement issued by a group called ‘Boxing India  (The Bout outside the Ring)’ that it has been approved by the AIBA, Mehta said, “We don’t know who are they and we have nothing to do with them as of now. Let them say what they want.” 

The group, which claimed to have got the provisional approval from the AIBA, is an amalgamation of corporates and long-serving officials with two prominent sponsors of the sport. The CMD of long-time Indian boxing sponsor Monnet Ispat Limited, Sandeep Jajodia, and owner of India’s World Series of Boxing franchise, Udit Sheth are part of the consortium which has got the AIBA’s nod for provisional representation.

“A presentation was made to the AIBA Executive Committee on BOXING INDIA : BOUT OUTSIDE THE RING led by Mr Sandeep Jajodia CMD, Monnet Ispat Ltd, primary sponsor and keen supporter of boxing, Mr Udit Sheth, WSB India Franchise rights holder and supported by Mr Jay Kowli, President, Maharashtra Boxing Association, International R&J at 2012 London Olympics, Secretary, AIBA Youth Commission duly supported by a team of Indian boxing enthusiasts and achievers who over the years have contributed towards development of Indian Boxing,” the group said in a joint statement.