Sports Ministry derecognises IABF, AAI

QINHUANGDAO, CHINA – MAY 13: Ayako Minowa (Red) of Japan fights against Mery Kom Hmangte (Blue) of India in the Women’s 51kg preliminary match during the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships on May 13, 2012 in Qinhuangdao, China. The AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships 2012 which is a London Olympic Games Qualifying Event will be held from May 11 to 19.

New Delhi, Dec 7 – The union ministry of sports Friday de-recognised the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) and the Archery Association of India (AAI) for manipulation in their election process.

Justifying the decision, Sports Minister Jitendra Singh said AAI violated the Sports Code of India while the election process of the boxing body was faulty.

The AAI election was held in November when Vijay Kumar Malhotra was elected its president for a tenth consecutive term, spanning a period of 40 years. IABF polls took place in September when Abhishek Matoria replaced Abhay Singh Chautala at the helm.

Asked why the government waited this long to take acton, sports secretary P.K. Deb said: “We were waiting for the result of the India Olympic Association (IOA) election. It is just a coincidence that we have come with the decision at this time.”

Earlier in the day, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) provisionally suspended IABF for manipulation of its election, a move that comes just two days after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended the IOA.