AIBA chief Ching-Kuo Wu defends the scoring system, says zero-tolerance policy is in place.
The president of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA), Ching-Kuo Wu, has lashed out at India, saying the country’s federation should abide by the system of which it is a part of. Wu also said India would ‘regret’ its actions once “they (the officials) cool down and think over the events” that have unfolded over the last few days.
There has been a huge outcry over the controversial judging and scoring system, which several countries – including India – claim have cost their boxers a deserved win. Finding himself on the hot seat, Wu has defended the system, which he says has been approved by the AIBA congress, which also includes India. “Unless India wins, everything is not okay. That’s Indians’ reaction. I think India are angry and they reacted in anger. But once they cool down, they will regret their action,” Wu told DNA.
Indian officials believe at least three of their boxers – Sumit Sangwan, Vikas Krishan and Manoj Kumar – were victims of poor judging and a ‘faulty’ scoring system. India, in fact, appealed Krishan’s case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), which is the world’s top sports tribunal body, asking it to intervene and reverse the decision that went against Krishan. “That is India’s right (to appeal to CAS) and we cannot stop them. But the system that is put in place by us should be respected. It was approved by the AIBA congress, which includes India as well. So if India does not like the system, it can challenge it. If majority of the countries challenge the system, we will change it,” Wu said.
Quite expectedly, Wu defended the scoring system, which he claims is absolutely transparent. “We are using the system for the Olympic Games, so it is perfect. Otherwise, why would we use it? There is no way it can be manipulated. The referees are locked up in their lounge for the whole day. They are without phones, internet... there is no communication. They come to know which bout they are officiating only 10 minutes before it begins. Tell me, how can you manipulate? We have a zero-tolerance policy.”
However, the Taiwanese president of boxing’s world governing body said there would be a review of the scoring system after the Olympics. “There will be a review; we do that after every major tournament. We will review the system and if the congress feels there is a need for a change, it will be done. It should benefit the boxers, in the end,” Wu said.
India is a market which the AIBA is keen to explore and Wu said it was important to look at the future rather than dwelling on these issues. “Everybody should cool down. The most important thing is to look at the future. The quality of boxing here is terrific, even Mary (Kom) is doing great. We should look at how to build on this,” Wu said.
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