IOA sets up ad-hoc committee to oversee boxing affairs

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Thursday announced a six-member ad-hoc committee to look after the issues and concerns of boxers and coaches following the suspension of the national federation by the International Boxing Association (AIBA). 

The Indian body has also been de-recognised by the sports ministry.

 

The ad-hoc committee, formed with the approval of AIBA, will be headed by Tarlochan Singh, vice-president of the Archery Association of India (AAI). 

The other members of the committee are Kishen Narsi, Indian representative in the AIBA executive council, IOA joint secretaries Rakesh Gupta and Kuldip Vats, boxing national coach G S Sandhu and former boxer Mehtab Singh.

 

Addressing the media after the first executive council meeting of the newly formed IOA, president N  Ramachandran said the ad-hoc committee will ensure that the participation of Indian boxers and coaches in international events was not hampered.

“The AIBA has suspended the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation and requested IOA to extend its full support to the boxers. 

 

The committee will handle all the issues like coaching and selection. We do not want our boxers to suffer,” Ramachandran said.

 

"The boxers have to be funded by the government of India. If the Government does not fund them, then the IOA will take a call."

 

Ramachandran said he had a “fruitful” meeting with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach in Lausanne and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah Al-Fahad in Kuwait.

A delegation from the Organising Committee of the National Games (Kerala) led by V M Gopala, IAS (Secretary - Sports & Transport) Government of Kerala also gave a presentation on their preparedness at the meeting.