Troubles continue for the International Boxing Federation (IBA). The body chaired by the Russian Umar Kremlev, already deprived of its recognition by the IOC and threatened since last spring by a competing organization - World Boxing -, is today attacked on its presumed strongest flank: Africa.
A collective of thirty national African boxing federations are up in arms over the recent decisions of the Independent Boxing Integrity Unit (BIIU), an entity created by the IBA and entrusted to a group of international jurists presumed to above all suspicion. He blames his nominations committee for decisions regarding candidates for the upcoming elections to the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC).
In a document including FrancsJeux has become aware, the thirty federations point to three examples of the, to say the least, questionable positions taken by the BIIU ahead of the upcoming elections to the AFBC.
The first concerns two African leaders whose candidacies were validated by the BIIU nominations committee, even though their personal situation is contrary to the statutes and regulations of the IBA and the AFBC. The Moroccan Mohamed El Kabbouri should not be able to run, argues the collective, because he is not supported by his national federation. As for the Ugandan Moses Muhangi, also considered eligible, he was sanctioned by the AFBC integrity unit with a fine of 5.000 Swiss francs. A fine that he has still not paid.
Second bone of contention: the candidacy “ enigmatic » by Bertrand Magloire Mendouga, also validated by the BIIU. The Cameroonian leader was forced to resign from the presidency of the AFBC last August, after being accused of mismanagement and embezzlement of bonuses intended for athletes.
Finally, the group of 30 points out in its argument the exclusion of a candidate, perfectly eligible in its eyes but rejected by the BIIU. Ilunga Luyoyo Ferdinand, the president of the DRC boxing federation, will not be able to run in the elections, a decision taken " without any plausible explanation, based solely on rumors. » Former head of the national police, in charge of protecting former head of state Joseph Kabila, he was placed on the list of people sanctioned by the European Union. But he was removed in May 2022. In their letter, the protesters suggest that the IBA integrity unit never contacted the European Union to find out the current status of the Congolese leader.
The thirty African federations insist: “ The BIIU appointments unit lacked professionalism, accepted external influences and compromised its transparency and integrity. We cannot trust him. » They ask the AFBC to entrust its own ethics committee with the candidate selection process. They are also campaigning for a one-month postponement of the elections to the African Confederation, scheduled for October 13 in Durban, South Africa.
In substance as well as in form, the approach of thirty African countries – out of the 50 members of the AFBC – sounds like very bad news for the IBA and for its president, Umar Kremlev. Since his arrival at the head of Olympic boxing, the Russian leader has always been able to count on the unfailing support of Africa. Above all, the continent remains the only one without any country having chosen to turn its back on the IBA to join World Boxing.
A few weeks before the first elections to the new world boxing body, scheduled for the end of November, the unrest coming from Africa does not bode well for the IBA.
