Asare confident of smooth organisation of boxing at Paris Olympics
Kwasi Ofori Asare, the head trainer of the national amateur boxing team remains optimistic about the representation of boxing at the upcoming Olympic Games despite the International Boxing Association's (IBA) ban by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
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Coach Asare explained that the IOC's decision to exclude the IBA, the world regulatory body for amateur boxing, from supervising the sport at the Olympics, would not have a direct impact on the organisation of boxing at the games.
Highlighting the IOC's similar ruling during the last Olympics in Tokyo two years ago, the Black Bombers trainer explained that the ban on the IBA did not disrupt the structure and organisation of boxing at the global event.
He expressed his belief that the ban would not be a hindrance to the sport at the Olympics, as he emphasised the importance of unity between the parties involved.
“All we want is to see a united front from both parties going forward, but I don’t think the ban will have any direct effect on the organisation of boxing at the Olympics next year,” Coach Asare told the Graphic Sports as he drew on the Tokyo Games precedent to affirm his confidence in a seamless organisation of boxing at the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
“During the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the IOC prevented the IBA from taking control of the sport, but everything went on as planned so I don’t think this will be the first time.”
Meanwhile, the IBA intends to appeal the IOC's decision to strip it of recognition to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The IOC's executive board recommended withdrawing recognition of the IBA due to its failure to meet a set of reforms. This decision was approved by an extraordinary IOC session which met remotely on June 22.
The IBA had previously faced suspension by the IOC in 2019 over concerns regarding governance, finance, refereeing and ethics.
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Consequently, it was not involved in managing the boxing event at the Tokyo Olympics.
While boxing remains a part of the Paris 2024 Olympics, the IOC has taken charge of the qualification bouts and competition as opposed to involving the IBA, as was the case in Tokyo.
In a recent report sent to the IOC, the IBA criticised the Olympic body for lack of cooperation and made allegations of false statements, with the ongoing dispute between the two bodies adding an additional layer of complexity to the situation.