CHENNAI: In a big and decisive blow to the future of Boxing India, the international boxing association (AIBA) has decided to form an ad hoc committee on its own. The AIBA, that had earlier said it did not know who to talk to about Indian boxing since the group is split-riven, finally decided to support former BI secretary Jay Kowli and AIBA representative Kishen Narsi.
In a letter dated June 16, addressed to Narsi, president of the AIBA Ching-Kuo Wu said, “Further to previous correspondence, AIBA has decided to form an ad hoc committee to manage the process of finding a group to organise and administrate the sport of boxing in India.” This has also laid to rest all rumours regarding who would rule Indian boxing. The new group led by vice-president Meren Paul, after the successful no-confidence motion against BI’s president Sandeep Jajodia and secretary general Jay Kowli, now stands defunct.
Even the meeting that the new faction is planning to hold in New Delhi on Wednesday will be of no consequence. Interestingly, one of the agendas in the meeting was affiliation and another was registration. The world governing body, however, has ensured the interests of boxers will not suffer. “In order to ensure that the boxers and the sport are protected and nurtured in India, it is proposed that this ad hoc committee will consist of the following individuals: Kishen Narsi, Jay Kowli, Manisha Malhotra, Injeti Srinivas (Sports Authority of India, Director General) and a national coach to be appointed with the approval of the AIBA.”
Moreover, the AIBA chief, through the letter, said that former Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary general Randhir Singh agreed to act as an advisor for the ad hoc committee to assist them in their very important task for the benefit of boxing in India. Interestingly, Paul was in Delhi since Monday to coordinate for the EC meeting. “We are ready and barring one or two members we are expecting almost all to attend the meeting,” he told Express from Delhi on Tuesday, unaware of such a letter. In fact, the new faction was rumoured to have the support of former Indian Boxing Federation chief Abhey Singh Chautala. In an interview with Express in Incheon Wu had said it did not have confidence in him and did not trust him. The IOA too has been supporting this faction. As things stand now, any ‘body’ that would control BI must have the approval of the ad hoc committee. This time too, the IOA would not like direct involvement of AIBA who has already warned India that if all factions don’t reconcile ways it might ban them again.
