India’s position and boxing’s Olympic future were endangered
The future of boxing as an Olympic sport is in danger since the Asian Boxing Confederation has refused to join the World Boxing Association, which is “promoted” by the International Olympic Committee.
The Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) has voted against leaving the IBA and joining the rival association, despite the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) repeated threats that boxing could be removed from the Olympic program for the 2028 Olympics if national federations continue to support the suspended International Boxing Association.
Secret ballot voting took place on Saturday, with 21 countries choosing to stay in the IBA and 14 choosing to join World Boxing (WB), a breakaway organization that wants to be recognized by the IOC. One vote was deemed invalid.
Boxing, Olympic 2028
India was one of the nations whose names were on the roll call, in addition to Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Chinese Taipei, Timor Leste, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, and Lebanon. India was also listed as an observer.
The following other members were present: Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, and the Philippines.
While the IBA is suspended, World Boxing currently has 42 members, while its associated units number over 100.
The Asian Boxing Confederation’s refusal to join the (WB) that the IOC “promoted” puts the sport’s future at risk.
Ajay Singh, the president of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), who attended the extraordinary congress of ASBC, is optimistic that WB will secure the necessary 50 members to obtain provisional recognition before the year ends.
“India is doing everything within its power to guarantee that boxing stays a part of the Olympic movement. Singh told PTI on Sunday that “it is evident that the IBA will not be recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the international parent body for boxing.”
India has decided to back World Boxing since it is the only workable option. The results of yesterday’s voting indicate that 14 ASBC member nations are eager to join World Boxing.
He continued, “We are optimistic that World Boxing will soon possess the necessary strength to apply to and be approved by IOC as the boxing governing body.”
It has also been reported that a couple of the fourteen Asian nations who supported joining the WB will shortly submit their applications to become a breakaway entity.
IBA attacked WB after the vote, claiming it lacked the resources to plan significant international events.
The IBA released a statement saying, “To be honest, World Boxing lacks the resources, know-how, and support to properly organize any major events, no means to support their members, and no intention to develop boxing.”
“They fairly say that they want boxing to remain at the core of the Olympics; nevertheless, they have little interest in the sport’s national growth, amateur boxing, or athletes’ individual performance paths. The statement went on, “They have no program, no vision—just the stand-alone concept that boxing should be at the Olympics.
IBA also advised the national federations to reconsider their departure since it might put them at a dead end.
“National Federations are urged by the IBA to exercise caution in their decision-making, as there will be no going back if a federation decides to withdraw. The IBA is still dedicated to helping its National Federations, coaches, and athletes.
“World Boxing cannot guarantee anything, but the IBA can demonstrate that its words are supported by deeds. We put a lot of effort into helping amateurs while providing top boxers with the chance to succeed as professionals as well as amateurs.
IBA expressed gratitude for the Asian body’s assistance, stating that it was a confirmation of the excellent work that it had done over the years.
The statement went on, “This decision (by ASBC) reflects the years of hard work invested by the IBA in boxing development worldwide and true unity of the IBA Boxing Family.”
IBA also took aim at a few national federations that had cast no votes in favor of it during the confidential voting process.
The aspirations of certain members to join World Boxing with political motivations are rash. Joining an organization that just seeks the personal goals of its leadership and has no interest in boxing’s success makes no sense.
What is India’s current standing in world boxing?
In May, BFI has consented to join World Boxing. The BFI General Assembly granted approval for the membership application.
The president and secretary-general of World Boxing had a meeting with senior BFI office bearers to talk about how India could help the international federation expand its membership base in Asia.
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