Knockout of the ring
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: January 19 2013 -

The directive of International Boxing Association (originally the Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur (AIBA) and still referred to as AIBA) to bar Indian boxers and coaches from participation in any international event organized under its aegis or recognized by it until the impasse surrounding the 'faulty electoral process' in Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) which was conductied in September last is resolved has come like a big blow, bigger than any possible knockout, to the poor boxers who are looking forward to a busy Asian season due to start from March.

It is from this warm-up Asian season that the boxers would be gearing up for a series of bigger AIBA events from June onwards.

However, a thick cloud of uncertainty now hangs over the future of Indian boxers with AIBA issuing the directive making it clear that no Indian boxers and coaches would be allowed to take part in any International event organized by it or recognized by it until and unless IABF, which has already been slapped with suspension order a month ago (in December last year) by the International boxing body and later on by the Indian Sports Ministry over the faulty electoral process, is ready to set its house in order.

This is the tragedy of Indian boxers whose sporting career has been left dangling midway because of dirty politics.

As a matter of fact, the latest bombshell which has become in the form of AIBA directive to bar Indian boxers from participation in International meets has only once again brought to the fore the mess in which Indian sports has remained for the last many decades with a handful of "elites" (read politicians and retired bureaucrats), who have no prior experience in sports nor any passion or professionalism, manipulating their way to the top position of sporting bodies and trying everything possible to remain holding on to their chairs.

Sports development is something foreign to these politicians and retired bureaucrats and their main concern is to exploit their respective position to wield power for instant fame, money and publicity, and enjoy all the freebies and tours.

The controversial election process that ultimately led to suspension of IABF was just the proverbial tip of iceberg of the larger undercurrent of dirty politics in Indian sports and it should have acted as an eye opener to the urgent need for thorough shake-up in the entire system of sports administration in the country.

Unfortunately, this has not been the case with the so-called elected office-bearers of IABF and officials of Ministry of Sports engaging in yet another round of battle for supremacy, thus leaving the Indian boxers, who have started making their presence felt in the International boxing arena, defenceless to get knockout of the ring.

What a shame!!

Now, that we have only 20 seconds to be counted for our boxers to get back to the ring from the knockout, would the proposed talks between by International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Sports Ministry at Lausanne help to change the mind of AIBA?

Only time will tell, but in the meantime, let's keep our fingers crossed for the sake of our boxers.