Livid with the administrative wrangling in Boxing India (BI), the world body AIBA that the country’s pugilists will “suffer” ahead of this year’s Olympic qualifiers if the warring factions do not resolve their differences and get the federation registered.
Speaking to PTI from Lausanne, the International Boxing Association communication director William Louis-Marie said the world body is well aware of the revolt that led to the ouster of BI president Sandeep Jajodia and Secretary General Jay Kowli in a Special General Meeting earlier this month.
“We are not pleased at all with whatever is happening in India. We do not know who to talk to as Boxing India has not even been registered as yet. We gave affiliation to it in November last year and it is disappointing that it is still not a registered body,” Louis-Marie said in a telephonic interview.
“How can we work with such an organisation? It is difficult for us to reach out to anyone at this moment. We are dealing with a very grey area here,” he added.
Jajodia was ousted after an overwhelming vote against him in the No Confidence Motion was brought in at a Special General Meeting, a move which was termed “illegal” by the incumbent.
He lost the motion 2-55 after 57 of the 64 general body members voted against him.
Louis-Marie said the boxers will be the biggest losers if the pandemonium persists.
“We are quite disappointed with India right now and boxers are the ones who will suffer. We have to have a registered body to work things out, right now there is no official representation from India,” he asserted.
Asked if the Indian boxers would be barred from the October World Championships, also a qualifying event for next year’s Olympics, Louis-Marie said, “Right now it is difficult for boxers to be there if the situation persists. I am again saying they will suffer the consequences because we have nobody to speak to in India right now.”
BI was instituted in September last year after elections monitored by AIBA. But it had been struggling to run the show smoothly owing to the IOA’s adamant refusal to grant recognition to it.
Jajodia and Kowli were ousted from their positions owing to discontent against them in the state units, which complained that the two were not able to do their jobs as was expected of them.
The revolting state units have claimed that they did not violate any norms in removing the duo and kept the world body apprised of the situation.
Reacting to the claims, Louis-Marie said, “Some people have been ousted but then I reiterate that the body itself is not yet registered. We cannot take a decision right now.”
However, Louis-Marie said AIBA expects the warring parties to resolve the issues as soon as possible even though no deadline has been set for them to work out things.
“There is no deadline as of now, we are watching the situation. Let’s figure out what’s best for Indian boxers and they should not suffer for the lack of representation. We expect that the two parties find a way to solve their issues while we decide what is best for India,” he signed off.
PD
Vijender Singh, Indian boxer.
