Embattled BI Prez Sandeep Jajodia sends letter to AIBA

New Delhi: Faced with a revolt ahead of a much-anticipated Special General Meeting, Boxing India President Sandeep Jajodia on Friday wrote to the International Boxing Association (AIBA) apprising the world governing body of the crisis in BI.

Jajodia, who is facing a No Confidence Motion in the SGM scheduled for May 3 here, has sent a letter to AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu detailing the current situation in BI and the "IOA's role in stoking the fire".

A source told PTI that the letter has been sent to ensure that the world body is kept in loop ahead of Sunday's meeting, where Jajodia with be put through a No Confidence Motion by the rebel group, which comprises 16 of the 20 BI Executive Committee members.

"The letter details the manner in which BI has been scuttled by vested interests, most prominently the Indian Olympic Association. We have told AIBA that former President Mr Abhay Singh Chautala is now trying to stage a coup with the help of IOA in Sunday's meeting," a source in the Jajodia camp said.

"Barely four months before the Olympic qualifiers, India cannot afford a termination once again and that is why it is important that AIBA is made aware of the situation right now," the source added.

Till September 2012, Chautala headed the erstwhile Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, which was terminated in 2013 by AIBA for manipulating its elections. At the time of termination, the IABF was headed by Abhishek Matoria, who happened to be Chautala's brother-in-law.

BI was instituted in September last year after elections monitored by AIBA. But it has been struggling to run the show smoothly owing to the IOA's adamant refusal to grant recognition to it.

Since its inception, BI conducted the men's and women's Nationals but has been struggling to put up a united front in the face of disgruntled state units, who have complained about Jajodia being inaccessible.

The Jajodia camp has, however, dismissed the charge stating that the BI chief has worked hard to put together a roadmap for Indian boxing but is being "bogged down by vested interests", an allegation that the rebel camp has denied.

Recently, a Executive Committee Meeting called by BI had been boycotted by 16 of the 20 EC members with even Secretary General Jay Kowli skipping it owing to differences with Jajodia.

Interestingly, Jajodia's working relationship with Kowli has all but collapsed. The final straw in the fallout was Kowli allegedly forging Jajodia's signature in a routine letter to the Asian Boxing Confederation recently. The incident had prompted Jajodia to declare to all BI members that he could no longer work with Kowli.

In fact, Kowli himself is expected to be shown the door in Sunday's meeting.