BFI President Ajay Singh to contest for position in world boxing body's EC

Press Trust of India  |  New Delhi 

Federation of is in fray to be Asia's in the AIBA Committee when the under-fire world body goes to polls where controversial interim is set for re-election to the top post.

The elections are scheduled to be held on November 3 during the AIBA's annual conference in starting November 2.

Currently, does not have representation in the AIBA EC. was the last Indian to find a place in the EC but his tenure ended after came into existence in 2015.

Singh will face competition from nominees of Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, Nepal, Qatar, Singapore, and the UAE.

Singh, also of low-cost Spicejet, is currently a member of the Asian Confederation's EC.

The AIBA, which is in International Olympic Committee's line of fire right now, is set to defy the and elect as after his was the lone nomination approved for the position by Schmid.

The has warned that boxing's future in would be in jeopardy if is re-elected. The Uzbek has been linked to organised crime by the and is fighting a legal battle to get his name cleared, insisting that he is innocent.

He took over as AIBA's after the long-serving Dr was forced to step down following a revolt last year owing to allegations of financial mismanagement during his tenure. AIBA has been struggling to end the turmoil that followed his ouster.

Its funding has been stopped by the IOC, which spoke of "significant concern" over key areas including its governance and ethical and financial management.

The has warned that should the AIBA fail in addressing all its concerns, boxing would be axed from the biggest stage of all. The popular combat sport has been contested at every since its introduction at the 1904 Games, barring 1912.

The most recent IOC warning came on Wednesday after an board meeting in which it expressed concerns about the "grave situation within the AIBA and its current governance."

"These include the circumstances of the establishment of the election list and the misleading communication within the AIBA membership regarding the IOC's position," read a statement issued by the IOC.

"Therefore, the IOC reiterates its clear position that if the governance issues are not properly addressed to the satisfaction of the IOC at the forthcoming AIBA Congress, the existence of boxing on the Olympic programme and even the recognition of AIBA as an recognised by the IOC are under threat.

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First Published: Thu, October 04 2018. 11:15 IST