Boxing India fumes as IOA moves to conduct Nationals

The administrative mess in Indian boxing is showing no signs of ending as of now but the Indian Olympic Association’s ad-hoc committee, in-charge of the sport right now, has called a meeting of the state associations to finalise the dates of the National Championship.

But the meeting, set for September 4, has raised the heckles of Boxing India, the body provisionally recognised by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) to conduct the long-pending elections for the national federation.

The elections for constituting a new federation are scheduled for September 11, nominations for which would be concluded by September 6.

“The meeting on September 4 is just to discuss the National Championships which have not happened for two years. Besides we will also discuss the National Games, that is the only agenda for this meeting,” ad-hoc committee convener Rakesh Gupta told PTI.

However, Boxing India is not convinced with one source saying that the meeting was an attempt to sabotage the elections.

“The elections are on September 11. September 6 is the final date for filing nominations and they have called a meeting on September 4, it is an unnecessary move. If at all, it is an attempt to derail the elections,” said the official.

Boxing India has been facing opposition of the state bodies, which have questioned its authority to conduct the elections and have even accused it of manipulating the process to get its chosen officials elected.

“It is not true, it is a fair election in which every information will be in public domain. We have sorted out all issues with the state associations and they are on board. Who they vote for, however, is their call. We can’t say anything on that,” the BI official said.