Olympics Begin In
:
Days
:
Hours
:
Mins
 
Secs
Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Boxing

We want to be in the top 5 boxing countries of the world: Boxing President Ajay Singh

We want to be in the top 5 boxing countries of the world: Boxing President Ajay Singh
X
By

Abdul Gani

Published: 27 May 2019 5:37 AM GMT
Guwahati: Boxing Federation of India (BFI) President Ajay Singh said that the conflict between the Indian Olympic Committee (IOC) and the parent body of the world boxing will not hamper the game and the boxers. Speaking to the media during the last day of the second India Open Boxing tournament Singh said that the AIBA is trying to solve the crisis. The IOC has set up a vote next month on removing the AIBA, from organizing bouts at the 2020 Tokyo Games. “It’s not a decision yet. These are just recommendations given by a committee. On June 24, the IOC will take a decision. But there will be no impact on boxing as such. If AIBA is not conducting, some other body will do it…But I feel that AIBA has tremendous work to resolve the issue whatever has happened in the Rio Olympics or others pointed out by the IOC. But it will take some time to sort out the things…but whatever happens, our support will always be with the game. We want that there shouldn’t be lack of opportunities for our boxers,”
Singh said. The IOC's Executive Board recommended on May 22 that AIBA be stripped of its right to organise the event at Tokyo 2020, but said the sport should still feature at the games. In recent years, AIBA has faced increased criticism over its governance, finances, refereeing and judging of the sport, prompting a six-month inquiry by the IOC.

Further, the BFI president said that if needed, India is ready to host the qualifiers.

“We will have to talk to the IOC on what constitutes a qualifier? We can host it as well. We have already successfully hosted several international tournaments. If required, we are happy to host any qualifying championships that might be conducted by the AIBA or the IOC,”
he added. On the preparations for the Olympics, he said that it has been the best so far. “We shouldn’t just promise…the training will go at the full swing…We are imparting the best of the best training facilities to our best boxers. We don’t have much time but we are trying our best. Hopes are high. Our focus is on the two World Championships – men and women. We have also jumped up in the world ranking in just two years. We were in the 30s and now in 10 or 11. We want to be in the top 10. Obviously, nothing is enough…we are trying to be in the top five boxing countries in the world,” Singh said.
Next Story