The Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) is set to withdraw from the International Boxing Association (IBA) after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) revoked its recognition of the IBA.
The ASBC, which includes 43 affiliated national federations, aims to continue its operations under special circumstances as a suspended international federation.
In accordance with the Olympic Charter, all sports must be governed by an IOC-recognized international federation to participate in the Olympic Games. As a result, boxing is now at risk of being excluded from the Olympic sports program.
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To address the situation, the ASBC board has proposed an extraordinary congress in Bangkok on June 23 to amend its constitution. This would enable the confederation to function within the current exceptional circumstances and align itself with an IOC-recognized international federation.
The ASBC’s president and secretary-general have been authorized to collaborate closely with international and national stakeholders in the sport and take necessary actions while ensuring all members are kept informed.
Furthermore, the ASBC has decided to postpone all upcoming ASBC Asian Boxing Championships, including the Youth and Junior Boxing Championships scheduled for July 14 in Kazakhstan, until further notice. It is worth noting that the ASBC is the largest boxing confederation globally.
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Pichai Chunhavajira, ASBC President and Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, highlighted the significance of the Olympic Games as a platform for athletes worldwide to compete fairly.
He reaffirmed the ASBC’s commitment to supporting athletes in their pursuit of the Olympic dream and assured that the confederation would utilize its resources fully to assist the Olympic Movement.
While respecting the IOC’s decision to withdraw recognition of the IBA, the ASBC believes it is essential to remain within the IOC’s purview and align with the Olympic Movement.
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The ASBC has pledged to grant the IOC Boxing Taskforce access to its highly skilled referees, judges, and International Technical Officials (ITO). It will also strive to collaborate seamlessly with National Olympic Committees and National Federations for the benefit of the athletes.
However, the IOC’s decision is considered highly unusual, and the future of boxing remains uncertain without a single authorized authority approved by the IOC.
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