CHENNAI: With less than two months to go for the National Games in Kerala, there’s no clarity on who will help the organisers conduct boxing events. With the IOA-appointed Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC), in charge of technical aspects of the Games, saying the support of the federations recognised by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) alone would be sought, hosting boxing won’t be hassle-free.
Boxing India (BI), the body recognised by the international boxing association (AIBA), is still waiting for affiliation from IOA and Sports Ministry. To make matters worse, IOA still considers the erstwhile Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) valid and bats for the right of the ad hoc committee constituted by IBF to provide technical help.
“All events will be conducted by the respective sports federations recognised by IOA,” GTCC chairman K Murugan told TNIE. This decision has not gone down well with many, including Boxing Kerala, state arm of the BI. “There’s confusion over who will provide technical assistance. The competition director and referees should be roped in from BI, as they are the AIBA-accepted body. Since organisers are liaising with IOA for the conduct of the Games, BI is out of the discussion. That’s why we have a problem. If the deadlock is not resolved, we may face hurdles in conducting the event,” said D Chandralal, former national youth team coach and Ring Official Chairman of the erstwhile Kerala State Amateur Boxing Association. He said the order to purchase Computerised Scoring Systems has not been issued by the organisers and without it, the event won’t be possible. “Even if organisers order it now, they can’t be shipped from abroad in time. In that case, they have to go for hiring from BI. But that would be possible only if the organisers can engage with BI,” Chandralal added.
According to sources, the ad hoc committee has a say in the IOA’s functioning and has recommended one of its office bearers to the post of competition director. This was rejected by Boxing Kerala. “The ad hoc committee wanted someone from Himachal Pradesh as manager but Boxing Kerala wanted BI vice-president CB Reji, who is from Kerala. This has led to contention. Antagonising the state body, they can’t conduct the event,” said a person privy to the developments.
The tussle between BI and the ad hoc is affecting boxers at various levels. Those who reached the quarterfinals of the national championship alone qualify for the Games. But the men’s nationals was held last in 2012 and it doesn’t make sense to provide slots based on that. The way out is to ask the federation to hold nationals before the Games. But that seems unlikely, given the huge expense associated with the event. Meanwhile, for women boxers, qualifying won’t be a problem as their nationals was held in October. The organisers, toeing the Olympic line, want to limit the number of weight categories for women to three from eight. A proposal was placed before the GTCC have competitions in 51, 60 and 75 kg categories. However, GTCC shot this down citing protest from BI and the ad hoc commitee.
With BI expressing resentment against allowing the ad hoc commitee to oversee the event, the ball is again in IOA’s court. They have a chilly relationship with BI, a relatively new outfit. The statement of a top IOA official summerises their equation with the BI. “BI may be recognised by AIBA, but legally we can’t recognise them just like that. Their application will be discussed at the executive board meeting on December 19 in Chennai. Until then, the ad hoc committee is the recognised unit.”