Veteran Indian boxer Akhil Kumar yesterday said the ongoing administrative tussle between the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Boxing India (BI) is only harming the pugilists
Akhil Kumar
New Delhi: Veteran Indian boxer Akhil Kumar yesterday said the ongoing administrative tussle between the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Boxing India (BI) is only harming the pugilists.
Akhil Kumar
Boxers of the country are in a flux after the International Boxing Association (AIBA)-recognised BI instructed all state units to bar their pugilists from participating at the ongoing National Games in Kerala, as BI is not recognised by IOA.
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"At the end of the day, the only person at a loss is the boxer. They should be careful and stay away from these politics. The administrators should think about the sport," the 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist said at a promotional event here.
"The decisions have to be finally taken by the boxers themselves and they should be careful while deciding. It is unfortunate... First we were banned for two years and now this," added Akhil, referring to Indian Amateur Boxing Federation's (IABF) ban in 2012.
The Arjuna awardee said that once an International Federation (IF), like AIBA, gives recognition to a member association, like BI, the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of that country, the IOA in this case, should also give recognition.
"As far as I know, the AIBA president had said that if the world body gives recognition to its member association, the NOC should also recognise it as it is in accordance with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) charter," said the 33-year-old.
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