(ATR) The president of the Dutch Boxing Federation, Boris Van der Vorst, has become the fourth candidate for the presidency of the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
The candidacy of Van der Vorst, also president of the "Passion for Boxing" Commission of the European Boxing Confederation (EUBC), was officially confirmed in a letter sent to AIBA and all national federations, which was seen by Around the Rings.
In the letter signed by the Netherlands Boxing Federation, it is stated that this entity has unanimously voted for the nomination.
"In his role as President of the National Federation, Mr. Van der Vorst has reformed and revitalized our Organization," says the letter.
"Their passionate involvement over the past decade has resulted in considerable development of sports and business domains.
"Although we would like him to continue his tenure in the Netherlands, we realize that each National Federation is ultimately dependent on the fate of AIBA.
"Our Executive Council firmly believes that Mr. Van der Vorst's professional skills, experience and character make him an outstanding candidate to take on the challenge of AIBA's recovery and its reinstatement as an International Federation recognized by the IOC," concludes the letter.
The EUBC has also considered Van der Vorst an "active civil servant" who has contributed to the success of the European Shadowboxing Challenge, the development of boxing in the Netherlands in recent years and the organization of the European Boxing Gala in 2019 and has said that "his strong management skills are the way for future developments".
The Dutch official joins three other candidates for the AIBA presidency: Suleyman Mikayilov from Azerbaijan, Bienvenido Solano from the Dominican Republic and Anas Al Otaiba from the United Arab Emirates.
A fifth contender could be Umar Kremlev, general secretary of the Russian Boxing Federation (RBF). Last January Kremlev, who is recovering from Covid-19 in Moscow, told Around the Rings that he would run if a good number of national federations ask him to.
AIBA Acting President Mohamed Moustahsane of Morocco had announced earlier in the year that he had no intention of nominating himself, although his final considerations have yet to be ratified.
The deadline for making the candidatures official closes on November 2.
The next elections will be held in a virtual Congress on December 12 and 13.
AIBA, which has been suspended by the IOC since 2019 for ethical and governance violations, is confident of regaining its recognition after the Tokyo Olympics.
Written and reported by Miguel Hernandez
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