Indian boxers upset as IABF faces ban over ‘manipulation of election’

Visakhapatnam: Indian pugilists are upset over International Boxing Association`s (AIBA) decision to suspend the country`s boxing federation over “possible manipulation” of its elections, in the wake of a wider Olympic ban that has left sports in India reeling.

On Friday (December 07), the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) was suspended by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) for "possible manipulation" of its elections, in the wake of a wider Olympic ban that has left sports in the Asian country reeling. The IABF amended its constitution ahead of its September election to create the chairman`s post to accommodate Abhay Singh Chautala at the end of his 12-year reign as the federation president. That paved the way for his unopposed election as president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Wednesday (December 05), a day after the IOC banned the body for allowing government interference in its poll. Speaking to reporters in Visakhapatnam city of India`s southern Andhra Pradesh state, Sung Chetrenla, Woman Coach Nagaland and National Boxing Camp, said that the news has come as a shock for the boxers. "The news that we heard today about the AIBA (International Boxing Association) suspending the Indian Boxing Federation from its federation it is a very shocking news for every one, not only coaches, not only the federations of Indian boxing but also the junior, senior and sub-junior campers," she said. Even though the AIBA suspension is a direct fallout of the Olympic ban, the Indian boxing federation`s September election is now under investigation. Disksha, an amateur boxer said that the suspension will affect their career as they will not be able to play international matches. "We have been training from such a long time and we were supposed to go for an international boxing tour but now we will not be able to go. Our whole career depends on boxing as we have been practicing since 10 years, if IBA withdraws its decision, then we will win several international medals," she said. Indian boxer and Olympic bronze medallist, M.C. Mary Kom who won accolades for India in the London Olympics 2012 said the ban is demoralising for the sporting fraternity. The AIBA ban is a massive blow to Indian boxing, whose fighters were making regular podium finishes in international events. ANI