Indian boxing coaches barred from ringside at Commonwealth Games

Mumbai: In what appears to be a case of misunderstanding, India's boxing coaches at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games have been barred from occupying ringside seats during bouts due to the country's termination from the International Boxing Association (AIBA). A communication to this effect from the competition organisers was received by the Indian Olympic Association on July 15, a top source who wished to remain incognito said. "The competition organisers seem to have misunderstood the situation (vis-a-vis the termination of Indian Boxing Federation by world boxing body AIBA in March and its replacement and provisional recognition of a new entity Boxing India in May) and have barred the coaches from seconding the boxers during bouts," the source said. "Efforts are on to resolve the problem for the good of the boxers," the source said, adding that already eight male boxers have left for the Games along with four coaches. "Three women are to leave on July 20. Boxing competition commences on July 25," the source informed.

AIBA suspended IBF first in 2012 and then terminated it in March this year stating that the then set of office bearers were "damaging the image, reputation and interest" of the sport. Later, in May there was a meeting in Lausanne between AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu and the IOA President, N Ramachandran, to discuss issues related to boxing in India.

"AIBA received full support from the IOA with regards to the selection of the new AIBA member for India. Further to this agreement, AIBA immediately informed the IOA of the AIBA Executive Committee decision of May 14 to accept Boxing India as the new National Federation," AIBA stated. "But no Indian official or manager or ringside judges can attend international events (till new body Boxing India gets full recognition of AIBA after due election process). Probably the CWG organisers have misunderstood that this includes coaches too," the source said.