Virtual Reform Congress Expected for Boxing Fed

(ATR) The International Boxing Federation is expected to meet in December in a virtual Congress that will determine the future of the sport in the Olympic Games.

AIBA, currently based in Lausanne, has been suspended by the IOC over governance and ethical issues, the first time an international federation has been barred from organizing its sport in the Olympic Games. For the Tokyo Olympics, an IOC working group is handling organization of the qualifying and competition during the Games.

Official word is expected at any time from the interim Federation leadership about plans for the December Congress. Speaking to leaders of the European Boxing Confederation earlier this month, acting president Mohamed Moustahsane said that the extraordinary circumstances posed by the Corona virus will likely force of virtual Congress. Originally planned for Lausanne, the meeting was moved to Budapest, a decision taken before the pandemic laid waste to the international sport world calendar.

The Congress is supposed to elect new leadership of the Federation, one of the requirements laid out by the IOC in its roadmap for AIBA to follow.

Around the Rings is told there’s still uncertainty among the ranks of possible candidates for the presidency, as well as the Executive Committee. Moustahsane seems to have been wavering over seeking the post on a permanent basis. Russian federation leader Umar Kremlev is believed to be interested as is the Bulgarian boxing Federation president Emilia Grueva.

Also watching are possible candidates from Azerbaijanand Kazakhstan.

Moustahsane told the European boxing group that consultations are underway with member federations worldwide before any decision is made on a virtual meeting.

Moustahsane also reported on the overtures between AIBA and the World Boxing Association on possible areas of cooperation between the two organizations. The newsletter of the EBC reports that Moustahsane said the discussions were in a preliminary stage. Moustahsane said that the goal of the discussions is to help boxers develop secure careers. The interim AIBA president insists the possible alliance is the sort encouraged by Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC’s blueprint for the future of the Olympic Games.

Moustahsane is reported to have promised that all national bodies would be presented with the details of any agreements with the WBA or other professional boxing organizations.

Reported by Ed Hula.