Who would've believed that. Excluded from the Olympic movement, riddled with debt and penniless, AIBA still inspires leaders to dream. There are seven of them, not one less, to present themselves on the starting line of the race for his presidency. Seven candidates officially registered less than six weeks before the election. A record. And even, come on, a riddle.
Until last week, the field of candidates included five names. Azeri Suleyman Mikayilov declared himself first. The Dominican Bienvenido Solano quickly imitated him, followed shortly by Anas Al Otaiba, a citizen of the United Arab Emirates. Dutchman Boris van der Vorst then joined the race. Finally, the Russian Umar Kremlev formalized a candidacy that had been anticipated for several months.
There were five of them. There are now seven. Two other starters came out of the woodwork at the very last moment, Monday November 2, the deadline set by AIBA to submit a candidacy for the presidency.
The first is not unknown. Mohamed Moustahsane has been acting president of the international boxing body since March 2019. He was called to the rescue after the resignation, loudly demanded by the IOC, of the sulphurous Uzbek Gafur Rakhimov . But the Moroccan assured that he did not wish to transform the interim into a more lasting position. He changed his mind. Unless he used the element of surprise to try to destabilize the competition.
Mohamed Moustahsane sent a letter at the beginning of the week to all the national federations that are members of AIBA, where he declares his intentions. “ For more than 20 years, I had the privilege of exercising different functions in boxing. Today, I think I can say that I know AIBA like the back of my hand. I have the pleasure and honor of running for president at a pivotal moment for AIBA. Our organization faces challenges that require a collaborative spirit and, more importantly, a leader who understands today's complexities and pressures"
The Moroccan also insists on his desire to take advantage of his leadership to regain the trust of the IOC. Not easy.
Another last-minute hire: the German Ramie Al-Masri. Originally from Palestine, known for speaking half a dozen languages, this new technology business leader is a surprise guest in the presidential race. To his credit, a position as chairman of the referees commission at the German Boxing Federation (DBV).
Ramie Al-Masri also wrote to all national federations to declare his candidacy for the presidency of AIBA. But unlike Mohamed Moustahsane, he does not claim to know the instance in every nook and cranny. Conversely, the German leader highlights a path that until now was very far from the mysteries of power, and therefore business, a “virginity” likely to reassure the IOC.
With seven candidates, the election for the presidency of AIBA scheduled for December 12 and 13 during the body's congress, looks very uncertain. Alliances and vote transfers make the victory of an outsider possible. But, beyond just the name of the new strong man of world boxing, the IOC will observe from Lausanne the composition of the executive committee. The Olympic body wants something new. Not just in appearance.
