NEW DELHI, Apr 3: To ensure that boxers and coaches remain unaffected by the Federation’s international termination and derecognition at home, the IOA today formed an ad-hoc Committee to handle issues related to coaching and selection in the beleaguered sport.
The first Executive Council meeting of the IOA was held today, after the lifting of suspension by the IOC, under the chairmanship of N Ramachandran.
Ramachandran said the IOA decided to form an ad-hoc committee so that the Indian boxers and coaches’ participation in the international events was not hampered. The move was necessitated by the IABF’s termination by the International Boxing Association and de-recognition by the Sports Ministry here.
“The IOA has formed an Ad-hoc Committee, consisting of six members under the chairmanship of Tarlochan Singh, who has years of experience in Olympic movement. The national coach – G S Sandhu and India’s representative at the International Boxing Association (AIBA), Kishan Narsi are also in the committee,” said Ramachandran.
“The committee has been approved by the AIBA and it will be handling all issues like coaching, selection, etc. Since we do not want the boxers to suffer we have formed this committee,” he said.
Asked who will fund the Indian boxers, Ramachandran replied, “The boxers have to be funded by the government of India. If the Government does not fund them, then the IOA will take a call. But as per natural process, any athlete who aspires to go abroad and train, the government funds him/her.”
Ramachandran said as soon as AIBA recognises the IABF, the IOA will give it recognition.
“Whenever IABF forms a body, it will apply to the IOA for recognition and as per the Olympic Charter, we will have to give recognition. But that is some time away. AIBA’s recognition has to come first,” he explained.
Ramachandran also said he had a fruitful meeting with the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach at Lausanne, besides having another discussing important issues with President of OCA Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah Al-Fahad at Kuwait. (PTI)
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