IOA executive council recommends de-recognition of IABF

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) had made it clear last month that the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) is the “only National federation recognised by AIBA in India.”

According to AIBA, Ajay Singh-headed BFI is the recognised federation from the country.

The IOA executive council, at a meeting in Chennai on Thursday, decided to recommend de-recognition of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation to the General Body of the Indian Olympic Association.

It was another lost battle for IOA chief Ramachandran who had tried to revive the IABF to appease Abhay Singh Chautala. Much against his wishes, the executive council had also ratified the decision to shift the venue of the AGM to Delhi.

READ: Endgame for Ramachandran?

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) had made it clear last month that the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) is the “only National federation recognised by AIBA in India.”

The BFI has got the recognition from the Sports Ministry and the IOA. The National Olympic Committee has granted affiliation to the BFI subject to ratification by the executive council/general body of the IOA.

The IABF, which was terminated by the AIBA for possible manipulation in its elections in 2012, subsequently lost recognition from the Sports Ministry. Several of the IABF members also joined the BFI when it came into being in September last year.