After the lifting of suspensionon Indian boxers, the barred Indian Amateur Boxing Federationhas got another shot in the arm with the world body, AIBA,approving its amended constitution.
"The amended constitution has been approved and we havesent a copy of it to the Sports Ministry as well," IABFSecretary General Rajesh Bhandari told PTI today.
AIBA had provisionally suspended the IABF last year,citing the International Olympic Committee's ban on the IndianOlympic Association and "possible manipulation" in itselections.
The governing body had asked the IABF to amend itsconstitution to make it compliant with the AIBA Statute as oneof the pre-requisites for the lifting of suspension.
"The AIBA wanted us to drop the word amateur because wehave incorporated the provisions for professional boxing aswell. We have also incorporated the age and tenure limitationguidelines which should satisfy the ministry as well," saidBhandari.
The IABF was also suspended by the Sports Ministry, whichwants it told hold a re-election.
"We are not averse to a re-election but we have given apoint by point reply to the ministry's objections. They shouldtell us, what is it that we have done wrong," he said.
The nominated post of Chairman, which is currentlyoccupied by former IABF President Abhay Singh Chautala, hasalso been removed from the amended constitution.
"We want the suspension to be revoked at least from theMinistry's side now. We have adhered to the sports code andhave incorporated changes as suggested to us," Bhandari said.
"Because this is what was discussed at our last meetingwith the Ministry officials. Now they should keep their wordafter going through the constitution," he added.
Asked whether AIBA is insisting on a re-election,Bhandari said, "They have not conveyed this demand. If theyask anything in writing, we will respond accordingly."
Meanwhile, the invitation for participation in the AsianJunior Championships for men, scheduled from March 10 inPhilippines, has also arrived.
"Only coaches and boxers will go but the good thing isthat boxers will not suffer anymore. Now these boys will havean aim. Earlier, they were training without a sense ofdirection," he said.
Earlier, in a letter to the IABF, the AIBA said that itsExecutive Committee decided to allow participation of Indianboxers in international events despite the continuation ofsuspension of the IABF.
The AIBA, however, made it clear that no official will beallowed to accompany the boxers in any internationalcompetition.
The development came after India's IOC member RandhirSingh spoke to AIBA President Ching-Kuo Wu and followed it upwith a letter, stating that the Indian boxers should notsuffer due to IOC's ban on India.
In India's sporting history, the country's athletes havenever participated in any competition under the flag of aninternational entity.