By Tom Degun

Randhir SinghFebruary 20 - A ban on India's boxers could soon be lifted following a direct appeal on behalf of the country's fighters made by Randhir Singh, the country's International Olympic Committee (IOC) member. 


The International Boxing Association (AIBA) announced the suspension last December after the IOC suspended the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for not holding their elections under the Olympic Charter in its election process.

AIBA's move to suspend the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) came after Abhay Singh Chautala, its chairman, was controversially elected IOA President in the move that caused their suspension from the Olympics.

Singh, who was originally set to stand against Chautala for the IOA Presidency before pulling out so as not to come into conflict with the Olympic Charter, has now spoken directly to AIBA President CK Wu about the issue.

"We explained to Wu that AIBA will have to facilitate Indian boxers' participation in international meets," said Singh.

"The ban is hurting them.

"We told him that they cannot be penalised for what AIBA perceives as the Indian Boxing Federation's wrongdoings.

"I hope the AIBA will lift the ban and let them participate."

Singh has also made a written plea to AIBA over the ban and is hopeful it could be overturned in days.

The AIBA, though, have told insidethegames that there is nothing to communicate on the issue at present.

Vijender SinghIndia’s Beijing 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh is hopeful the AIBA ban on the country’s boxers will soon be lifted

But the IABF remain hopeful following Singh's direct plea to Wu, which comes as they look to remove the role of chairman that Chautala occupies, in another bid to have the ban lifted.

AIBA's ban was also imposed after the world governing body "learned about possible manipulation of the recent IABF's election".

The organisation, however, remain hopeful there will not have to be new elections if Chautala is removed.

Indian boxing star Vijender Singh, who won bronze at middleweight at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, said he desperately wants to see the ban lofted soon.

"I have always said the boxers should not be penalised," he said.

"We never stopped training, hoping there will be some solution someday."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
February 2013: Indian Amateur Boxing Federation look to remove chairman in bid to get AIBA suspension lifted
December 2012: AIBA suspend Indian Amateur Boxing Federation
September 2012: Indian Boxing Federation elects new 29-year-old President