By Daniel Etchells

C K Wu, President of the AIBA, insists the IOA is not complying with the Olympic Charter ©AIBAC K Wu, President of the International Boxing Association (AIBA), has urged the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to comply with the Olympic Charter and reverse its decision to reject Boxing India's application for National Federation recognition.

The IOA reached a unanimous verdict on the matter at its Annual General Meeting in Chennai, recognising instead the controversial Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF).

It leaves the absurd situation where one body is recognised by its parent international body, while the other has the backing of the national apex sports body.

This puts India at risk of a resumption of a ban from international events, lifted in February 2013 following long-running dispute between AIBA and the IABF.

Wu claimed the decision falls out of line with Article 29 of the Olympic Charter, which states: "To be recognised by an NOC (National Olympic Committee) and accepted as a member of such NOC, a national federation must exercise a specific, real and on-going sports activity, be affiliated to an IF (International Federation) recognised by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and be governed by and comply in all aspects with both the Olympic Charter and the rules of its IF."

Wu, a member of the IOC's ruling Executive Board, revealed he spoke to IOA President N. Ramachandran in Monte Carlo during the recent IOC Session and claimed he is "fully aware" of the situation.

India is facing a resumption of its ban from international boxing events ©Getty ImagesIndia is facing a resumption of its ban from international boxing events ©Getty Images



"The NOC has nothing to do with the recognition of the National Federation," Wu told insidethegames.

"It is up to the IF to recognise the National Federation."

The IABF, run by Ashok Matoria, brother-in-law of Abhay Chautala, the IOA President when it served a 14-month suspension from the IOC, lifted in February, was suspended by the Indian Government and AIBA in December 2012 for not holding elections under the Olympic Charter.

"This is nothing to do with the Government," added Wu.

"It is up to the IF to recognise the National Federation, not the Government to recognise it."

Wu confirmed AIBA has responded to the IOA's decision and expects it to be overturned.

"Nobody can argue against the Olympic Charter because everybody follows that," he said.

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