The Indian government has suspended the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation and the Indian Archery Association pending a re-election.
Newly-appointed Sports Minister Jitendra Singh said: “They have 15 days time to confirm a re-election. If they don’t, we will de-recognize them. As of now, they are suspended.”
The president of Archery association, V K Malhotra, has served three terms and is over 70. Both are in violation of the age and tenure restrictions.
The Boxing federation has been suspended due to manipulation of the results during the recent elections. Now, this is addition to the suspension by the AIBA, which happened last night.
Chautala is in trouble again. AFP
As of now, all funds to both the associations have been stopped. In case, there is an international tournament, then the names will have to sent by SAI. If SAI cannot do it, then the sports ministry will look at another organisation that can.
“It’s our top priority to ensure that our sportspersons don’t suffer,” said the sports minister.
Last evening, India’s Lalitha Prasad (49kg) and Sandeep Sharma (75kg) had to settle for a bronze medal after losing out to their respective opponents in the final round of the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships in Armenia. As things stand, they will have to accept the medals with the AIBA flag fluttering over their heads.
“Not been able to get in touch with AIBA,” said sports secretary P K Deb. “The information of suspension came at around midnight last night. And we have tried to get things in order before that.”
“What would you have us do? Sit, quiet, look pretty and do nothing? We are telling the international federations to put an interim association in place.”
“The Sports Code itself asks for certain ethical activity,” Deb added.
More to follow…
