Sports Ministry derecognises Indian Amateur Boxing Federation

The Sports Ministry of India has derecognised the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation with immediate effect on Tuesday because of the boxing body’s refusal to comply with its directives on holding a re-election.

This is a second massive setback for the IABF, which was earlier terminated by the sport’s global parent body, the International Boxing Association ( AIBA), after allegations of rigged elections and corruption.

“The matter has been considered in totality and keeping in view all relevant facts, including the fact that the international federation of the boxing sport has withdrawn its recognition to the IABF, it has been decided to withdraw the recognition granted by Government of India to IABF,” said a statement from a Ministry source.

The Sports Ministry had earlier suspended the IABF ‘provisionally’ in December 2012. The ministry had asked the boxing federation to organise fresh elections and make its constitution compliant with the National Sports Code.

“The IABF was directed to annul their elections held on 23 September, 2013, and communicate its decision of holding fresh elections while following the provisions of the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, under the supervision of an independent Returning Officer,” the source added.

“The International Federation for the sport of boxing, i.e., the AIBA, has also advised the IABF to hold their elections after suitably amending the constitution of the IABF. However, neither the directions of the ministry, not those of the AIBA have so far been complied with by IABF and fresh elections have not been held,” added the source.

He also said that the recognition for any national sports federation would be on the basis of its legal status, recognition from the international federation for the sport, recognition from the Asian federation and the IOA with respect to Olympic sports.

Also part of the ministry’s criteria is the national sports federation’s undisputed status as an apex body in India, its role and contribution in developing the sport, conduct of national championships across age groups, financial and managerial accountability and fair, transparent and democratic elections.

Currently, two factions are warring for control of the national body. One is led by Abhay Chautala, who has helmed the IABF for years, while the others is a group of rebels, the Affiliated State Units and Boards of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation. The Chautala faction, in a letter reportedly written to the AIBA, claims support of most state and other boxing associations “except two or three members”.