Indian Olympic Association sitting on Boxing India request for recognition

NEW DELHI: A new body is in place to run boxing in India but the turmoil in the sport seems far from over with the Indian Olympic Association sitting on Boxing India's request for recognition even as its ad-hoc committee invited entries for next year's National Games despite having no validity.

Boxing India (BI) was recognised by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) after elections in September which were held in the presence of an observer from the world body.

Since then, BI has conducted the National Women's Championships and has been invited by the Sports Ministry for every deliberation pertaining to Indian boxing.

"But the IOA is just refusing to give us recognition and not even telling us what's the reason behind it. Our numerous letters to them seeking clarification have found no response and it has become a frustrating wait," a BI source told PTI.

While refusing to grant BI recognition, the IOA continues to assert the functional authority of its ad-hoc committee which was formed to select teams for the Commonwealth and Asian Games after the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation was terminated by AIBA and derecognised by the Sports Ministry.

"It is a major concern for Boxing India because this unnecessary situation is only jeopardising their future," the source added.

The IOA has asserted that IABF remains registered with it as the recognised body for running boxing and has gone to the extent of calling BI a parallel body despite it getting the AIBA's approval.

It is also learnt that BI's application seeking recognition is not in the agenda of the December 19 Annual General Meeting of the IOA in Chennai.

The IOA ad-hoc committee, which is chaired by veteran administrator Tarlochan Singh, had six members of which Kishan Narsi and national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu have already resigned.

Interestingly, the committee is now inviting entries of teams for the National Games, scheduled from January 30 in Kerala.