AIBA always looks forward to full cooperation with the IOC, says Gafur Rakhimov

Rakhimov said the IOC had been informed of the steps being taken by the AIBA to rectify certain issues.

(From left) IOA President Narinder Dhruv Batra, BFI President Ajay Singh, along with AIBA President Gafur Rakhimov, during the Opening ceremony of AIBA Women World Boxing Championship in New Delhi.

International Boxing Association (AIBA) president Gafur Rakhimov said on Wednesday that the apex body for boxing has been trying to put its house in order and address concerns, which have been affecting the sport for a long time.

Rakhimov, who was recently elected president of the AIBA in Moscow, said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had been informed of the steps being taken by the AIBA to rectify certain issues.

“Our executive director Tom Virgets has submitted a report (to IOC) which covers the areas of concerns accumulated for many years. This includes anti-doping, referring, integrity, governance and financial aspects...AIBA always looks forward to full cooperation with the IOC in order to improve any areas that are lacking,” Rakhimov told reporters, here, on the sidelines of the World women's championships opening ceremony.

READ: AIBA submits report to IOC with Tokyo fate

The AIBA chief said that the international federation was serious about bringing in fairness to refereeing and judging, and had hired the services of a company for this on IOC's recommendation.

Rakhimov assured that boxing would be part of Olympics. An official said that the AIBA had already finalised five female weight categories for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Regarding India's role, Rakhimov said that apart from the 2021 World championships for men, the country would get the chance to bid for the Asian Olympic qualifying event.