By Nick Butler

India's Sports Ministry has accepted the internationally approved boxing body, but the IOA still refuse to do so ©AFP/Getty ImagesA growing rift between the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the country's Sports Ministry looks to have widened after the Government department accepted the National Boxing Federation of India's request to call itself Boxing India.


Last month, the IOA declined a similar request and refused to accept Boxing India as the legitimate body ruling the sport in the country, instead recognising only the defunct Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF).

This set the National Olympic Committee on a collision course with the International Boxing Association (AIBA), who do recognise Boxing India.

It has left facing the possibility of a second suspension from international competition.

A previous ban was lifted only in February 2013 following a similar dispute.

Speaking exclusively to insidethegames, AIBA President CK Wu urged Indian officials to change their mind in order to comply with the Olympic Charter.

He has now been supported by the Indian Government. 
"We are extremely thankful to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Government of India for approving the registration of Boxing India," said Sandeep Jajodia, President of Boxing India. 

"The registration is a stepping stone in expediting the administrative formalities and streamlining the overall functioning and activities of Boxing India."

AIBA President CK Wu has been among those to criticise the IOA's reluctance to accept Boxing India ©AFP/Getty ImagesAIBA President CK Wu has been among those to criticise the IOA's reluctance to accept Boxing India ©AFP/Getty Images







This is the second boxing-related issue with which the IOA and the Indian Sports Ministry have offered a differing opinion in recent months, following the controversy surrounding Indian boxer Sarita Devi after she refused to accept her Asian Games bronze medal.

Devi, who was objecting to what she claimed was biased judging against her in the semi-final, did eventually receive her medal, although she has since been handed a year ban by AIBA as well as a fine of CHF 1,000 (£660/$1,040/€830) for her outburst.

Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was among those to staunchly support Devi but the IOA did not dispute the ban and fine handed to her by AIBA. 

The IOA themselves only returned from a 14-month suspension from the International Olympic Committee last February, imposed due to Government interference in the election of its previous leadership.

This was only lifted following fresh elections, in which World Squash President N Ramachandran was elected IOA chief.

IOA officials are yet to respond to insidethegames' request for comment following the latest developments. 

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