Boxing India’s elections go ahead despite concerns from IOA

Boxing India (BI)¹, India’s provisional member of International Boxing Association (AIBA)² tasked with governing the country’s boxing, held formal elections yesterday (11 September) in the hope Indian boxers will compete under BI in the upcoming 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014.

Boxing India has recently faced multiple allegations related to the motives and transparency of the elections, which led the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to write to the AIBA requesting that the IOA hold the elections.

This Indian sports law update centers around the allegations against BI, the IOA’s and the AIBA’s consequent actions, and the election results.

Boxing India’s rocky background

To recount events, on 1 April, BI’s predecessor, the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, was derecognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ (Sports Ministry)³ for failing to comply with directives from them and the AIBA.

On April 2, the IOA created an ad hoc panel⁴ as a temporary arrangement to govern Indian boxing and allow fighters to continue competing internationally.

BI then formed as a proposed full time replacement, and were recognised by the AIBA as a provisional member for India, and given the right to participate in AIBA-approved Confederation and National events (as set out in Article 12.2 of the AIBA Statues).⁵ The IOA, however, withheld their judgement on BI.⁶

AIBA required BI to quickly conduct full elections and revamp their constitution, or have their provisional status withdrawn. Pursuant to Article 13(E)⁷ of the AIBA Statutes and Article 34 in the AIBA ByLaws,⁸ BI must submit the results of any election and appointment of their officers to AIBA for approval.