Olympic Boxing Federation Chief Pushes Reforms Agenda

(ATR) Gafur Rahimov says AIBA is "working tirelessly to bring positive change" amid the threat of expulsion from the Tokyo Olympics hanging over the sport.

The federation’s interim president issued a progress report on Wednesday informing its member federations that AIBA is implementing initiatives and policies on governance and ethics to meet demands from the IOC.

Last month, the IOC president Thomas Bach told reporters after a three-day executive board meeting that AIBA was not making enough progress, pointing to unresolved concerns around financial issues, good governance measures and the upcoming elections.

Threatened with the axe from the Tokyo Games earlier this year, Bach said boxing’s inclusion in the 2020 Olympics would "greatly depend" on the outcomes of the AIBA congress in November where member federations will elect a new president and vote on reforms. The IOC’s suspension of payments to the federation still remains in place.

Rahimov is a leading contender to replace C.K. Wu as president on a permanent basis – and Around the Rings understands he has significant support in the federation to secure the role. But the IOC remains concerned about the Uzbek-born Russian businessman’s alleged links to organized crime in Russia. Rahimov has never faced charges and is said to be taking various steps to clear his name.

On Wednesday, Rahimov said he was "very proud" to report on the IOC’s acknowledgement of AIBA’s progress in restructuring the federation.

Financial Issues

Last month, AIBA’s executive director Tom Virgets admitted to ATR that the federation was taking "a lot more time to make the changes" regarding financial reforms but it "significantly reduced" its liabilities.

In his progress report, Rahimov said that in July, AIBA and Benkons signed a "settlement agreement" that allowed the federation to avoid bankruptcy. Under this deal, out of AIBA’s total debt of $10 million, $2 million would be returned to Benkons via sponsorship, an agreement approved by AIBA’s ruling body in July.

"Further discussions will be held for another $3 million to be also covered through sponsorship, which will significantly improve AIBA’s financial situation," Rahimov said.

He also noted the agreement with FCIT to create a new joint venture to manage the marketing programs of AIBA and World Series Boxing (WSB), which he said "removed the CHF 19 million burden from the shoulders of AIBA".

AIBA is currently in discussions with several additional investors/sponsors about the marketing rights for "Mixed Double Boxing", a new competition initiative which will be presented for approval at the November congress.

The boxing leader said AIBA had received the final forensic investigation report from K2 Intelligence into the finances of AIBA and WSB and financial issues related to the former president C.K. Wu’s office in Chinese Taipei. The report was presented at July’s ExCo meeting and a copy given to the IOC.

"Among the findings were disturbing facts related to past mismanagement, as such AIBA is currently considering next steps with its legal experts," Rahimov said.

AIBA’s ethics commission is reviewing the report and will present its recommendations to the federation’s ExCo and congress.

In a bid to address the governance and financial mismanagement problems that have tarnished the federation, AIBA launched its New Foundation Plan earlier this year. Rahimov said it was "in full swing", while amendments to AIBA’s statutes are set to be made at the congress to help restore the integrity of boxing’s rulers.

Sochi Worlds Possible?

The AIBA chief suggested that the 2019 World Championships, awarded to Sochi, Russia in July 2017, might still go ahead if the federation’s dispute with WADA can be resolved.

Anti-doping agency RUSADA has yet to regain compliance with the WADA code following the state-sponsored doping scandal that rocked world sport. This has led to calls for the worlds to be relocated from the 2014 Olympic host city.

"WADA has been insistent on trying to relocate the event, however AIBA is working very hard to maintain its decision," Rahimov said in his update on the issue. He said "discussions continue to progress" with further input to come from WADA in September when the anti-doping agency’s executive committee meets.

Although he has yet to declare his candidacy for president, Rahimov hinted that he will be hitting the campaign trail hard during the next two months at upcoming AIBA events including the Youth Men’s and Women’s World Championships, Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang and Buenos Aires Youth Olympics.

"I look forward to meeting all our national federations during these events and further discuss with you about AIBA’s current situation and future plans, as I am very interested in hearing your ideas and opinions about the future of our organisation and our sport as a whole," he said in his concluding comments.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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