AIBA yet to form ad-hoc panel to screen applications for IABF

New Delhi: More than a month after promising an ad-hoc panel to screen applications for the formation of a new Indian Boxing Federation, the International Boxing Association is yet to finalise it despite discussing the country`s case in a recent Executive Committee meeting.

The EC of the International Boxing Association (AIBA), which has terminated India after IABF`s failure to hold fresh elections, discussed the country`s case at the recent World Youth Championships in Bulgaria but no immediate solution is in sight. "India`s case was discussed but no ad-hoc committee was formed. However, the AIBA President is deeply pained by the situation in India because it is one of the oldest members of the international family," a source told PTI today. AIBA had initially suspended India citing "possible manipulation" in the IABF elections held in September 2012. As the matter lingered on and the IABF was divided into factions, the world body decided to toughen its stand and terminated the Indian federation. Later, AIBA invited applications from "any group of people with passion and love" for boxing to submit applications for the establishment of a new national federation. "They have received applications but they don`t want infighting. They don`t want somebody or the other to keep challenging the whole thing in Court. That`s why they are taking their time to make the next move," said the source. "Hopefully, things will be resolved but AIBA is working very carefully because they don`t want the boxers to suffer," he added. Meanwhile, efforts are on to end the factionalism that hurt India`s case. Secretary General of the suspended federation, Rajesh Bhandari, today said efforts were on to bring a consensus among the state units, which are divided into groups. "There is no point in continuing to bicker. For the sake of the boxers who are giving their sweat and blood to the sport, we have to sort out our differences so that this termination is lifted," he said. "We are trying to sort out our differences and if a consensus is reached, we will be writing to AIBA and see how it goes from there," he added. The IABF is currently being run by an ad-hoc committee appointed by the Indian Olympic Association. The panel is headed by veteran administrator Tarlochan Singh and comprises five other members. The boxers and coaches have, however, remained unaffected by the termination and can compete in international events.