Now, archery and boxing bodies face the heat

Now, archery and boxing bodies face the heat

Still smarting from the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) suspension three days ago, Indian sport was dealt a twin body blow on Friday.

First, the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) was suspended by the international body and subsequently de-recognised by the sports ministry. If that doesn't hurt, the government also withdrew recognition to the Archery Association of India (AAI).

The provocation: election irregularities on both counts, the very same reason the International Olympic Committee (IOC) put the national Olympic body in the wilderness.

The archery mess was waiting to happen. VK Malhotra, 81, was re-elected AAI president for an astonishing 10th term last month - a violation of the sports code that restricts the number of terms to three and the age limit to 70.

He is the longest running sports body chief, having been at the helm of the AAI for 40 years.

Hitting out at the government's decision, Malhotra - who is also acting president of the IOA - said, "I am surprised the sports minister held a press conference to announce de-recognition of AAI but did not give the media the correct picture. How can we accept a sports code that has no legal sanctity and is not recognised by the IOC?"

The IABF's suspension will bar Indian boxers from international competitions.

"It is a sad day for Indian boxing. Luckily for us, the next world meet is not any time soon and hopefully, things will be settled by then," said Vijender Singh.

The International Boxing Association's executive committee late Thursday handed a provisional suspension to the IABF over "possible manipulation" in the elections held in September.

The sports ministry has given the IABF 15 days to finalise fresh elections.

The man at the centre of this mess is Abhey Singh Chautala, the outgoing IABF president who was nominated chairman and replaced by his brother-in-law, Abhishek Matoria, as president.

Chautala was also elected IOA president on Wednesday despite the IOC making it clear the vote would not be recognised.

Chautala insisted the IABF elections were transparent but added that he was willing to hold fresh polls monitored by the AIBA.