Repercussions of IABF's termination: Things aren't looking good for Indian boxing

Vijender Singh, India’s star boxer

On 4th March, the AIBA terminated the IABF from the list of affiliated national federations. The IABF, short for Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, was suspended in December 2012 and was then terminated last week, primarily because the current set of office-bearers were, in AIBA’s words, “damaging the image, reputation and interest” of the sport. The unfortunate development came soon after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was reinstated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Till the time either a new federation for boxing is established or a new set of office bearers is appointed, the Indian boxers and coaches will compete under the AIBA’s banner. The AIBA is now accepting applications from people with love and passion for the sport to establish a new national federation, and a rebel faction has already sprung up.

Despite much resistance from the present set of office bearers at the IABF, the termination will necessarily have to lead to fresh elections at the IABF, which many consider to be a blessing in disguise. The anti-Abhay Chautala faction in particular will try its best to get the AIBA’s permission to be a part of the new federation, which would hopefully be set up under the watchful gaze of the world body.

Over the years, India has produced some of the best boxers around the globe, who won many laurels for the nation in almost every competitive boxing event. Recently, the AIBA released the latest world rankings which featured five Indians in the top three and 13 others in the top-20 of the various weight categories.

Other Indian boxers on the list:

Men: [World Ranking. Name (Weight-category)]

6. Satish Kumar (91+Kg), 8. Manoj Kumar (64Kg), 12. Mandeep Jangra (69Kg), 13. Vijender Singh (75Kg), 13. Sumit Sangwan (81Kg), 18. Vikash Malik (60Kg),

Women: [World Ranking. Name (Weight-category)]

5. Meena Rani (64Kg), 7. Laishram Devi (60Kg), 8. Jenny Lalremliani (81Kg), 10. Monica Saun (69Kg), 11. Pooja Rani (75Kg), 11. Kachari Bhagyabati (81Kg), 13. Mandakini Kangabam (57Kg).

Lately, many sports authorities in India have faced suspensions by their respective world bodies, usually owing to the lack of credibility of the officials administering the sport. So much so, that getting suspended/terminated almost seems like a competition in its own.

But the termination of the IABF is definitely a huge blow for the nation. Apart from wrestling, badminton and archery, boxing is the one sport that has brought India many medals over the years. And now India’s aspirations of getting medals from the sport dangle in mid-air just before the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, which are scheduled to begin in July and September 2014, respectively.

Although the established boxers will not find it to be anything more than a slight inconvenience, it will be the budding talents in the country looking for recognition and funding who will bear the brunt of the impudence of the top officials. Not just that, since the IABF has now lost membership rights, all credit for the performance and success of the Indian boxers, if any, will go to the AIBA.

If a solution to this problem is not addressed with a sense of urgency, India’s performance in future competitions will definitely be affected.

India’s Olympic medallist boxer, Vijender Singh, was the first to act in the midst of all the commotion by joining the rebel group, which is led by former Secretary General Brigadier (Retd) P.K. Muralidharan Raja.

The butterfly effect has already begun. I just hope the people that matter don’t wait for further damage, or for Indian boxers to slide down the ranking list, before establishing a new federation to put Indian boxing back on track.