National Federations criticise IBA’s suspension decision
NATIONAL Federations that were yesterday suspended by the International Boxing Association (IBA) have criticised the decision by the sport’s governing body.
New Zealand, Germany, Sweden and The Netherlands were all suspended for their links to the breakaway governing body World Boxing.
The breakaway organisation was launched last month following concerns about the sport’s place at the Olympic Games due to the ongoing war of words between the IBA under its Russian President Umar Kremlev and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
In a statement today, the Dutch Boxing Federation said that in correspondence with the IBA it had stated clearly it was “currently not part of World Boxing.” The Federation added it had asked the IBA and the Boxing Independent Integrity Unit to be heard, but said it had “not been given the opportunity.”
“It should be clear that we cannot agree with the suspension decision,” the Dutch Boxing Federation said. So is the process IBA followed to reach this decision, which we believe violates IBA’s own regulations.
“We therefore see grounds for conducting proceedings at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.” Dutch Boxing Federation President Boris van der Vorst yesterday told insidethegames that the topic would be addressed at the organisation’s forthcoming General Assembly.
Germany has also been suspended for its connections to World Boxing, with German Boxing Association President Jens Hadler expressing “concern and incomprehension” at the decision, as reported by ran.de.
“We wrote a letter to the IBA last week and asked them to put sport in the foreground and approach the IOC,” he said.
“Accordingly, we were surprised that we got the suspension as an answer.
“For us, sport is in the foreground. “Fortunately, there are no disadvantages for the athletes as a result of the suspension.
“We will discuss how we as an association will position ourselves in the entire Board.” - Inside