Boxing's future hangs in balance after Asian body votes in favour of IBA

Boxing's alrey uncertain Olympic future was thrown into furr jeopardy after sport's Asian governing body voted against leaving suspended International Boxing Association (IBA) to join rival association.

polling was held via a secret ballot with 21 countries voting in favour of continuing with IBA, while 14 cast ir ballot in favour of joining World Boxing, new body constituted to run affairs of sport. re was one invalid vote.

Besides India, which participated as an observer, or countries whose names figured on roll call included, Bahrain, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Chinese Taipei, Timor Leste, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Leban, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Yemen.

IBA has been at loggerhes with IOC, with latter managing Olympics qualification process for Tokyo and Paris Games.

With Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) refusing to join World Boxing, which is being pushed as an alternate to IBA, future of sport in 2028 Los Angeles Games hangs in a balance.

Following voting, IBA hit out at World Boxing, saying new body lacked wherewithal to organise major international events.

"World Boxing, to tell truth, has finances, expertise and support to organise any proper major events, means to support ir members and intention to develop boxing," said IBA in a statement.

"y (World Boxing) claim that y want to keep boxing at heart of Olympics, fair eugh; that said, y do t care about development of sport in countries, grassroots boxing, performance path of athletes. y have program, vision -- just a standalone idea of boxing being at Olympics," statement ded.

IBA also asked national federations to think twice before leaving as that could mean a de end for m.

" IBA calls (upon) National Federations to make decisions carefully, as re will be way for a U-turn, should a federation decide to leave. IBA remains committed to supporting its athletes, coaches and National Federations.

"World Boxing can guarantee thing; IBA in turn can show actions supporting every word said. We work hard in support of grassroots boxing, while giving elite boxers opportunities to excel as amateurs and professionals both," statement ded.

Welcoming support from Asian body, IBA ded that it was an affirmation of good work done by it over years.

"This decision (by ASBC) reflects years of IBA's hard work invested in boxing development worldwide and true unity of IBA Boxing Family," statement ded.

IBA also hit out at some of national federations that h voted against it during secret ballot.

"Politically motivated intentions to join World Boxing backed by some members are reckless. re is rationale in joining an organization that has intention for boxing to thrive but only pursues personal ambitions of ir leership.

"A move towards World Boxing will undoubtedly dam sport in those respective countries, sis confirmed by performance of World Boxing nations in Paris 2024," it said.

Where does India stand vis-a-vis World Boxing? ============================== Boxing Federation of India h in May agreed to become a member of World Boxing. membership application was approved by BFI's General Assembly.

Senior BFI office-bearers h also met with World Boxing president and secretary-general to discuss ways in which India could support international federation in growing its membership base in Asia.