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Narinder Batra, the chief of Hockey India has accused‘Boxing India’, that was recently approved by the International boxing federation, of using money to buy power.
"It is rumoured and trust me there is no smoke without fire, that a big amount has been given to the international federation to formally approve Boxing India as a registered boxing association. I have grave concern because it will directly have a bearing on all the sports bodies in the future," said a concerned Batra.
Sandeep Jajodia, the chairman of Monnet Ispat Limited, long-time Indian boxing sponsor and Udit Sheth, the owner of India`s World Series of Boxing franchise, are part of the consortium which managed to get a nod from the International Boxing Association`s (AIBA) for provisional representation and is most likely to get formal approval as well. The secretary genreal of Hockey India is fearing that it might start off many such events.
"The reason behind it is that two business houses are working together to form a federation and that itself is questionable. If business houses sponsor a sport, it's fine but displaying this kind of money power to buy and sell federations is a wrong step for Indian sport," accused Batra.
Batra also went on to add the people in charge should be taking this incident on a serious note.
"Not only the government, but our IOA president should also take the issue very seriously. According to our sources, he had gone to Lausanne to settle this matter a month back. He met the AIBA chief Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu and his only aim is to bring squash in the Olympic fold. But he should not sacrifice Indian sports for his vested interests," said Batra.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president N Ramachandran too is supportive of Boxing India and Batra sued him for ruining the sport.
"President saab if you don`t have the spine then please don`t spoil Indian sports. Don`t ruin Indian sports under IOC and OCA pressure," he said.
It should be noted that on March 3, AIBA dismissed India, reasoning their move as "due to serious violations of the AIBA Statutes and Bylaws".
After the disappointing move by the executive committee of AIBA, it was decided to form a new federation seeking support from people who will abide by the principles of AIBA. But Batra was sure that the new organisation is formed by an unfair process.
"A new government has taken office and I would like to urge the new sports minister through this statement of mine that he should take this issue very seriously and should stop this system of buying and selling in sports," he further said.
Batra also went on to add that AIBA approved the body only to redeem the losses that the previous body incurred by hosting the international boxing league.
"Now this new Boxing India association that has been formed and is close to being legalised by the International federation is probably an outcome of the losses that that were incurred during an international boxing league.
"The people who are in charge of this league have been handed the federation as a gift by AIBA to make up for their losses while staging the international league. Is India a guinea pig which will be run by a federation?," asked an angry Batra.
In a shock turn of events boxers from India were banned from international participations last year after which Boxing India was formed. But Batra was very strong in his claims.
“They have not even taken an NOC by the government to use the word India and Boxing India is already on the table. Why have you made an Olympic association if the international bodies have to recognise the federation. They `care two hoots` for the athletes because they don`t give them profit," concluded Batra.
