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Ersthwhile governing body of Indian boxing, Boxing India was provisionally suspended by the AIBA, the International Boxing Association, on Monday, 14th September. The decision taken was communicated to Kishen Narsi, chairman of the ad-hoc committee appointed by the AIBA.
Concerned over Boxing India’s managerial dysfunction and internal politicking, the AIBA appointed an ad-hoc committee in June to take charge of Indian boxing. But there were no specific instructions about the status of Boxing India, which prompted them to convene, holding an executive council meeting in Guwahati earlier this month. Boxing India even announced dates for the senior men’s and women’s national championships and appointed Rajeev Thakran as its acting general secretary.
Boxing India went a step further and announced that its Annual General Meeting would be held on October 3rd. The organisation contacted it’s associated bodies and invited nominations for junior national championships as well as announcing election dates for posts for president and secretary general which were vacant since May 3rd, having been relieved via a no-confidence motion.
In a communique, Cliodhna Guy, the legal director of AIBA who monitored Boxing India’s last election in September, sought confirmation that Meren Paul (BI’s interim president) and other officials had been informed that their elections had been stayed. Additionally, Guy wanted acknowledgement that BI were aware that all competitions organized by them are unauthorised as they were provisionally suspended.
In an email to members of the Indian boxing fraternity, Narsi wrote “"This is to inform all the stakeholders of Indian boxing fraternity that AIBA has provisionally suspended Boxing India and it has instructed the ad hoc committee to handle issues related to calling a meeting of all stakeholders, and taking steps ahead, including holding fresh elections, to streamline stalled Indian boxing operations asap."
Narsi went on to say that the ad-hoc committee will convene in the next two weeks and take decisions on structuring and defining the functioning of the governing body per the recommendations of the AIBA.
The recent bustle by Boxing India left the Indian boxing fraternity ambiguous about the state of the sport. The decision by the AIBA has clarified the situation. The brunt of BI’s unclear fate was felt most by Indian boxers, especially in the recently concluded Asian Championships, where the medal winners could not fight under the tricolour or listen to the national anthem being played when they ascended the podium. They were heralded by the AIBA flag instead. Expeditious and copacetic decision-making is the need of the hour, espcially if India is looking to be relevant in the Rio Olympics.
