GUWAHATI: Management crises are a common phenomenon across many sporting federations. FIFA and Formula One are the two best examples of global sport coming under the scanner for malpractice. In the domestic circuit, sports bodies of cricket, boxing, volleyball have suffered because of power-hungry officials.
The International Boxing Association (AIBA), which administers amateur boxing, was also caught in that trap not so long ago. AIBA was in the soup earlier this year after reports emerged that then-president CK Wu was allegedly involved in financial mismanagement.
It was alleged that Wu, an IOC member since 1988, had accumulated a debt of 15 million Swiss francs through poor management.He was also accused of trying to cast out some executive members, who questioned his position. After protests, several meetings and pressure from AIBA’s interim management committee (IMC) — set up in July to look into the case — Wu stepped down as expected.
On November 20, AIBA and Wu came to a settlement. In a joint statement on the official website, it was announced that they had agreed to fix management issues within the body.
Since then, Franco Falcinelli of Italy has been installed as interim president. It’s a fresh beginning for the sport after Wu’s 11-year reign. Ted Tanner, AIBA vice-president and also a member of the Executive Committee, concedes those days were a headache for all. “Obviously, it was bad for the last four months. But with Mr Wu resigning, I think the associations can unify for developing boxing,” Tanner told Express, on the sidelines of AIBA Glovesup programme here.
Launched earlier this year, Glovesup is a special initiative tailored to help boxers, coaches, referees and judges, and officials at the grassroots level. It was a first for India as many aspirants got a glimpse of AIBA’s vision. “India has in the past produced champion boxers without these programmes. With these programmes, they can be much stronger in the future,” Tanner said.
Four days have passed by without a hitch in the ongoing AIBA Youth Women’s World Championship. Tanner is impressed by the conduct of the event so far. “Without a doubt, the opening ceremony was the best I’ve witnessed for a World Boxing Championships event. I’m very impressed with the boxing venue too.”
Teenagers, throwing punches with the kind of composure generally associated with experienced pros, have also caught Tanner’s eyes. “This new generation has plenty of talent. They are very fortunate too as they will benefit in the next six-eight years (with more berths for women likely in the future Olympics). I consider the previous generation of boxers to be pioneers. They broke through by sheer determination.”
With the International Olympic Committee focussing on gender equality, AIBA has had a tough time trying to find a balance between men’s and women’s events. “The women’s section has certainly been encouraged to come into the Olympics programme and also the Commonwealth Games. But it will throw up challenges for men in the coming years (with some of their events getting scrapped). That’s going to be something the AIBA has to come to terms with.”
AIBA will convene the Extraordinary Congress meeting on January 27, 2018 in Dubai to consider proposed governance changes. The general election, which will see the appointment of a president, is proposed to be held in November next year in Moscow.
Results (Indians) | Quarters : 45-48 kg: Nitu (Ind) bt Klotzer Maxi (Ger) 5:0; 51 kg: Jyoti (Ind) bt Marchese Giovanna (Ita) 5:0; 64 kg: Ankushita Boro (Ind) bt Rebecca Nicoli (Ita) 3-2; 54 kg: Sakshi (Ind) bt Xia Lu (Chn) RSC; 57 kg: Sashi Chopra (Ind) bt Sandugash Abilkhan (Kaz) 5-0; 75 kg: Georgia O’Connor (Eng) bt Niharika Gonella (Ind) 5-0; 69 kg: Canser Oltu bt Astha Pahwa (Ind) 3-2.
Five enter semis
Indian boxers continued to live up to promise. Save for two setbacks, five others punched their way into semis, thereby ensuring medals. Like on Tuesday, Shashi Chopra, who plies her trade in 57kg category, made it look easy against Sandugash Abilkhan — winning by a 5 to nothing scoreline. But Ankushita had to dig deep to bring cheers to her family and the crowd. It was yet another revenge win as she got the better of Rebecca Nicoli, who had beaten her in Sofia, Bulgaria, a few months ago. Jyoti, Sakshi and Nitu were among others who entered the medal round.
anmol@newindianexpress.com