AIBA grants provisional recognition to Boxing India

Indian boxing finally came out of an administrative exile after the International body AIBA gave provisional recognition to the newly-elected Boxing India, clearing the decks for the the country's pugilists' hassle-free participation in the upcoming Asian Games.

"The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has granted Boxing India provisional recognition, which means our boxers are now confirmed participants in the Asian Games. Things are back on track and heading in the right direction," Kishan Narsi, India's official representative in the AIBA said.

Whether the boxers will be allowed to compete under the Indian flag or have officials such as doctors accompany them for the September 19 to October 4 Games is yet to be made clear by the world body. The Indian boxers were only travelling with their coaches at international events due to the termination of the national federation.

The Indian team for the event in Incheon, South Korea, comprises 10 men and three women.

A permanent recognition to BI is expected to be accorded during the AIBA Congress in Jeju Islands, Korea in November.

This development comes after more than a one-and-a-half year-old impasse and after a new body headed by industrialist Sandeep Jajodia was elected in Mumbai last week for a four-year term in the elections conducted through a secret ballot in the presence of two AIBA observers.

While Jajodia, representing Chhattisgarh Boxing Association, was elected unopposed as president, Jay Kowli of Maharashtra was elected as Secretary-General. Incidentally, Jajodia is also the CMD of Monnet Ispat Group, the chief sponsors of Indian boxing since 2008.

Since taking office, BI has announced the dates to conduct the National Championships besides laying out a roadmap to revive the sport.

The erstwhile Indian Amateur Boxing Federation was terminated in December 2012 for alleged manipulation in elections. Thereafter, AIBA Executive Committee decided to terminate India in March this year "due to serious violations of the AIBA Statutes and Bylaws".

Following this, it was decided to establish a new National Federation in India with the new group of people who would "support the principles of AIBA in terms of ethics and fairness".

Photograph: Jo Yong-Hak/Reuters