AIBA to sue Batra, Hockey India

Narinder Batra

The International boxing association (AIBA) is planning to sue Hockey India Secretary General Narinder Batra after he alleged the world body of accepting money in order to approve the ad-hoc ‘Boxing India’ group for running the sport in the country.

“We refer to the scandalous and totally wrong allegations made by Mr Narinder Batra, the Secretary General of your National Federation which was published very recently,” AIBA’s Executive Director Ho Kim said in a letter to HI president Mariamma Koshy.

“Please note that AIBA will not tolerate to be accused of having received a big amount of money from Boxing India for the latter to be accepted as the new National Member Federation in India.

“This information is totally wrong and AIBA is expecting to receive immediate explanation and proof of these allegations with evidence on this matter from Mr Batra for having spread such a rumour which is tarnishing the image of AIBA as well of Boxing India,” he added.

The AIBA has given the nod for provisional representation and a formal approval is expected soon. The chairman of long-time Indian boxing sponsor Monnet Ispat Limited, Sandeep Jajodia, and owner of India’s World Series of Boxing franchise, Udit Sheth were part of the consortium that approached AIBA on behalf of ‘Boxing India’.

Mr. Batra had alleged that AIBA had received large sum of money to approve ‘Boxing India’.

Mr. Kim dismissed these allegations. “Mr Batra should be ashamed of questioning the integrity of AIBA as he has obviously absolutely no idea of the way our International Federation operates, of AIBA Ethics and principles of transparency. In addition, his criticism of Mr Narayan Ramachandran, President of the Indian Olympic Association, are also totally unfounded,” he said.

As we are now preparing an international media/press article on this matter and a legal suit against Mr Batra and your National Federation which he also represents, I am giving you a chance to explain this matter immediately before we proceed with our actions,” Mr. Kim added.

The AIBA Executive Committee had terminated India due to “serious violations of the AIBA Statutes and Bylaws” in March this year.

Following the termination, it was decided to establish a new national federation in India with the right group of people who would support the principles of AIBA in terms of ethics and fairness.

Finally, Boxing India, which is backed by the Maharashtra Boxing Association, was approved by AIBA to represent India till the time a new federation takes charge after a general assembly.