Wu shown the door as Aiba looks to bringing in Mofu
THE row ravaging world amateur boxing body continues unabated after president Ching-kuo Wu was finally suspended provisionally this week.
The suspension marks the escalation of strained relations between Wu and the body’s executive committee which called for a vote of no-confidence to be passed against him in July.
International Amateur Boxing Association (Aiba) said on their website that the 70-year-old was served on Monday with a provisional and immediate suspension from duties pending the conclusion of a complaint against him.
“The chairman of the commission and the commission panel assigned to this matter believe that the situation is urgent and require immediate provisional measures be ordered,” the statement added.
There was no immediate comment from Wu and Aiba officials, including executive director William Louis-Marie.
Wu, who was elected Aiba president in 2006 and is a member of the International Olympic Committee’s executive board, has rejected claims of financial mismanagement and accused opponents of “political manoeuvrings”.
Wu is accused of “violating and continues to violate various provisions of Aiba’s statutes and codes”.
He is also accused of financial misappropriation with Aiba said to be operating on debt.
The 11-member executive committee previously blocked Aiba headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland but the office was later opened after a court order.
Wu also won the court battle which had been lodged to oust him.
While this has been raging on, Wu has hit back by slapping a lengthy suspension to African Boxing Confederation president Kelani Bayor who is one of the architects calling for his ousting.
Wu recently appointed Simawongo Clement Sossa to fill Bayor’s position on an interim basis while a permanent replacement is being sought.
Insiders have revealed that Ilithaborn SA National Boxing Organisation (Sanabo) president Andile Mofu is the frontrunner to fill the position with Wu’s office allegedly already having contacted Mofu. However, Mofu declined to confirm the rumours.
The Taiwanese-born Wu’s action to keep appointing and dismissing individuals within the structure is also cited as one of the reasons for provisional suspension.
“Dr Wu continues to dismiss and appoint individuals in Aiba in order to block any statutory right of the executive committee and others,” the complaint states.
Wu’s suspension comes when he had already scheduled to visit African countries, including Morocco and South Africa, next month.
The Taiwanese was instrumental in launching the Year of Africa programme which sought to bridge the gap between African boxing and that of the world.
The programme touched on four cities, including East London, where scores of boxers, managers, trainers, ring officials underwent coaching courses to empower them with technical expertise in major international championships such as the Olympics and world amateur championships. — Additional reporting by Reuters