Shot in the arm for Boxing India

International Boxing Federation president Wu Ching-Kuo has given a thumbs-up to Boxing India's recent elections and advised the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to recognise the new body soon in order end any confusion.

Talking to dna on Wednesday, Wu said it is in the interest of everyone in India to come under one banner and bring boxing back on track. "We have informed IOA of our decision. I think the Olympic Charter is very clear: all national federations report to the international federation. I believe somebody needs to study the Olympic Charter," said the AIBA chief.

"Go and study AIBA history and see that India is not the first one to be suspended. We have suspended Great Britain, the US, Wales, Korea and Thailand in the past. After they are suspended, they all come back. If they do not follow rules, they are out. They follow rules and they are in," Wu said.

Regarding India, where three organisations have applied for recognition to AIBA, Wu clarified that AIBA is satisfied with the report filed by its observer after the BI elections recently.

"We want to be fair and transparent. And we also want to clean up the sport. Now in the case of India, three federations applied and we have selected one, Boxing India, to conduct the elections. An observer was sent to oversee the elections and, believe me, it was one of the fairest elections," he added.

He, however, ridiculed the suggestions from certain quarters in India that AIBA favoured a particular body. "Everything we did was under our statutes and rules. Everything has been under the AIBA rules. One decision and one statute," said AIBA president.

He, however, promised that no official of the old dispensation — India Amateur Boxing Federation — has been blacklisted. "A lot of things happened in the old federation and there were too many complains and protests. We would want IOA to recognise the new body."