Indian boxers will not be able to take part in international events till the impasse surrounding the IABF is r... Read More

BANGALORE: Indian boxers will not be able to take part in international events till the impasse surrounding the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) is resolved, a directive from the international boxing body ( AIBA ) says.

This comes as a big blow to the boxers who were looking forward to a busy Asian season from March before gearing up for some of the big AIBA events from June onwards.

In recent years, amateur boxing has been one of few sports where Indians have held their own against the world's best, winning medals at the Olympics and other international meets.

AIBA's ruling is in response to a letter from the Sports Authority of India seeking steps to pave the way for Indian boxers' participation in international meets.

"Since both Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and IABF are suspended, we asked AIBA who would be in charge of sending in entries to various competitions.

We wanted them to make suitable arrangements so that our boxers did not suffer," sources told TOI. "In reply, AIBA said Indian boxers will not be able to participate in any of the events organized by the world body or recognized by it for the time being."

AIBA's hammer blows on Indian boxing have been swift and telling ever since it suspended IABF a month back, citing "possible manipulation" in the Indian body's elections held in September last year.

Initially, the world body allowed the boxers' participation in two events, including the Youth World Championships in Yerevan, Armenia, where Indian officials were told that their federation had been banned at IOC's behest.

Then came the clarification that Indian boxers would be allowed to participate but without the officials. Days later, AIBA hardened its stand, slamming the door on IABF's old office-bearers, saying it would communicate only with the sports ministry to find a solution.

It even allowed Sports Authority of India to send in entries for a junior event in Serbia this month before it closed down all options with a blunt response.

The letter last week was perhaps the last nail in the coffin.

IABF officials said the ball was in the ministry's court. "We have amended the constitution as per AIBA's directions. But we are unable to communicate with them. Only the ministry can help us," the officials said.

On the other hand, ministry sources said no one from the fraternity has come forward with any proposal. "We need to check whether their draft constitution adheres to the sports code. But we haven't heard from them. They need to put their house in order so that we can put up a united front before AIBA," ministry sources said.

The hope now is the talks proposed by International Olympic Committee with the sports ministry in Lausanne. "We hope the discussions are held soon. Since AIBA is prompt in following IOC directives, any positive outcome in Lausanne would help in changing AIBA's mind," the sources said.

Times View

The situation in which Indian boxers find themselves today highlights the price sports in this country has to pay because we have allowed it to be run unprofessionally. It is no secret that almost every sporting body in India has been turned into the personal fiefdom of some powerful politician or bureaucrat. The perils of letting this happen are now all too evident. At least now, there must be a thorough clean-up of the entire system of sports administration. What we need are professional administrators, preferably with a passion for sports, not people looking to add one more 'title' to their CV or wangle a few junkets on public money.