AIBA Treasurer Goes Out Swinging -- Federations Focus

(ATR) International Boxing Association treasurer David Francis resigns, citing differing opinions with the leadership of AIBA.

Around the Rings has learned that Francis last week suddenly quit his role on the board of BMA -- the Boxing Marketing Arm. He cites differing opinions with the leadership and complains he has been left out of decision-making.

Francis submitted two letters of resignation. One tot the board of the BMA, the second to C.K. Wu, AIBA president.

Francis, who's from the U.K.. has served six years as treasurer.

"I am not provided with information and I am not included or advised of decisions being taken which may seriously impact on AIBA’s financial health," Francis laments in his AIBA resignation letter seen by ATR.

"In these circumstances where you have failed to provide me with the necessary information to discharge my duties I have no option but to resign from the BMA Board with immediate effect," Francis writes to the BMA.

An AIBA official who would only speak on background tells Around the Rings that had no real operational or financial role with the organization. The statutes of AIBA allow for the appointment of a treasurer. The statute reads that the treasurer will be "invited" to meetings and that the position "shall not have any right".

ATR is told the day-to-day operations are handled by the finance department led by Rob Garea and the larger oversight of AIBA's financial portfolio is monitored by KPMG. A report from KPMG detailing the financial picture of AIBA will be released mid-July.

Francis argues that the increasingly risky portfolio of AIBA operations has given him reason to raise alarm.

"In recent times I have become more and more concerned about the financial status of AIBA," he states. "This has been heightened by my knowledge of the financial situation of BMA – the company established by AIBA as a commercial arm and the more recent revelation that AIBA has guaranteed money loaned to BMA which places AIBA in a more precarious position."

Baseball Emphasizing Youth Development

The World Baseball Softball Confederation is putting into action plans to develop youth sports with its upcoming U-12 Baseball World Cup in Tainan, Chinese Taipei.

The tournament that begins July 28 will be the fourth installment of the event and second consecutive edition held in Tainan. The city is seeking to become the permanent host of the event for the world’s best youth baseball players aged 11-12. Tainan has already acquired hosting rights for the 2019 World Cup.

"The U-12 Baseball World Cup represents the first opportunity for top young players in our sport to be named to the National Team, to wear their nation's jersey and play for a world championship," said WBSC president Riccardo Fraccari. "Over these 50 games in Tainan, we will see which nation's young baseball players and National Team youth program is the strongest."

WBSC is the only International Federation to host a World Cup event for athletes under the age of 12.

The tournament also provides the WBSC with another revenue stream as tickets are sold to each of the games. A WBSC spokesperson tells Around the Rings that the final of the 2015 tournament sold out with 10,000 fans.

Lacrosse Federation Names First CEO

The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) is hiring more staff to keep up with its expanding responsibilities.

The FIL has appointed Jim Scherr to serve as chief executive officer under president Stan Cockerton as the IF now boasts 56 member countries across six continents. Scherr has extensive experience in sports administration including most recently serving as executive director for the National Wheelchair Basketball Association and chief operating officer of the Baku 2015 European Games.

Scherr has also worked with the U.S. Olympic Committee after competing for the U.S. in the 1988 Summer Olympics as a weightlifter. He served as chief of sports performance from 2000-2003 and chief executive officer from 2003-2009.

Now focusing his efforts on yet another sport, Scherr is excited about the promise that lacrosse offers as a sport on the rise in the Olympic Movement. Lacrosse has joined SportAccord and the International World Games program since 2012.

"Over the last 10-15 years, we’ve seen such positive growth," Scherr said in a statement. "Not only with the number of countries, but the movement towards our Olympic vision. The day-to-day details had gotten to be too much for a seven-person volunteer board to handle.

"Now we can move forward in a more professional, timely manner. We’re hoping this is just our first full-time position with more to come. I think the sport deserves it."

Scherr says the federation’s number one goal is to be included on the Olympic program. While he believes it’s a possibility, he knows much work remains. Scherr officially begins work with the FIL on June 19.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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