LAUSANNE: Losing patience with the national federation, world governing body AIBA on Tuesday handed over hosting rights for the 2021 Men’s World Boxing Championships to the Serbian capital of Belgrade.
“After New Delhi didn’t fulfill its obligations to pay host fee as mentioned in the Host City Agreement terms, AIBA has terminated the contract. Therefore, India would have to pay a cancellation penalty of $500,000,” AIBA stated.
The original deadline to make good on the reported $4 million hosting rights payment was December 2 2019, PTI reports. The elite competition, which would have happened for the first time in the country, was allotted to India in 2017.
Reacting to the development, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) asserted that AIBA had acted in “haste”.
While acknowledging the delay in payment, the BFI, however, blamed it on “procedural complications” arising out of AIBA’s failure to resolve “issues” with regards to the account in which the money was to be transferred.
The BFI, headed by Spicejet Airlines owner Ajay Singh, contends that AIBA could not clearly tell where to transfer the money and invited fresh bids for the event a day before the payment deadline.
“…we have reasons to believe that the decision to change the venue of WCH-2021 was taken in haste without due consultation with BFI… the penalty that is imposed is shocking and surprising.
“…both parties are working for an amicable solution. BFI is confident that the penalty will be waived off and we will host World Championships in future,” the BFI statement reads.
“AIBA account in Lausanne was frozen. The account of AIBA in Switzerland as mentioned in Host City Agreement is still inoperative. AIBA intended to have some previous payments through an account in Serbia.
“As Serbia is in the Grey List of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) countries, Indian Banks do not normally send money to Serbia. AIBA could not resolve these issues,” said the BFI.
“The account of AIBA in Switzerland, as mentioned in Host City Agreement, is still inoperative,” it added.
The BFI’s contentions are largely based on the fact that AIBA has been suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for administrative and financial mismanagement. The world body has also been barred from conducting Olympic competitions for the sport. But it also needs noting that AIBA has been trying to set its house in order and one BIG part of that effort was in the decision made by Gafur Rakhimov, the body’s erstwhile president who stands charged with links to criminal networks, to step down. Mohamed Moustahsane is currently serving as AIBA’s interim president.
“First of all, we are happy to announce our next major elite competition,” Moustahsane said.
“I’m sure all the nation would be proud to host the Championships in Belgrade. Serbia has everything to organize a great event for athletes, coaches, officials, and, of course, for our boxing fans.”
“It’s a big step toward our new competition system and also the financial stability of our organization, which is going to be less and less dependent on the Olympic money.”
Moustahsane further noted: “Because of rescheduling of the (Tokyo) Olympics 2020, the AIBA executive committee will discuss with the host country possible dates to adjust. We believe that we will keep planned time frame and conduct World Championships in 2021 after the Games if the pandemic situation is under control. As soon as it is fixed, this will help our boxers to plan preparation for next year properly.”
The President of Serbian Boxing Federation, Nenad Borovcanin, stated that the Championships is back to Belgrade after 43 years.
‘After the historical tournament of 1978 in the capital city of Yugoslavia, this is the second time for our nation to be back as hosts. Winning the medal at AIBA World Boxing Championships is a dream of all the boxers. And it is in our nature – never to stop until our dreams are achieved. I strongly believe that the Serbian Boxing Federation will do a fantastic job in organizing this tournament and that both the competitors and spectators will take great pleasure in the opportunity to participate in it. I would like to express my utmost gratitude to the International Boxing Association for convening such a wonderful event,’ he said.
The national body conducted the women’s world championship in 2018 and won the hosting rights of the Asian Championships later this year just weeks ago.
