AIBA approves IABF’s amended constitution

After the lifting of suspension on Indian boxers, the barred Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) has got another shot in the arm with the world body, AIBA, approving its amended constitution.

AIBA had provisionally suspended the IABF last year, citing the International Olympic Committee’s ban on the Indian Olympic Association and “possible manipulation” in its elections.

The governing body had asked the IABF to amend its constitution to make it compliant with the AIBA Statute as one of the pre-requisites for the lifting of suspension. The IABF was also suspended by the Sports Ministry, which wants it to hold a re-election. The nominated post of Chairman, which is currently occupied by former IABF President Abhay Singh Chautala, has also been removed from the amended constitution.

Meanwhile, the invitation for participation in the Asian Junior Championships for men, scheduled from March 10 in Philippines, has also arrived. Earlier, in a letter to the IABF, the AIBA said that its Executive Committee decided to allow participation of Indian boxers in international events despite the continuation of suspension of the IABF.

The AIBA, however, made it clear that no official will be allowed to accompany the boxers in any international competition. The development came after India’s IOC member Randhir Singh spoke to AIBA President Ching-Kuo Wu and followed it up with a letter, stating that the Indian boxers should not suffer due to IOC’s ban on India.

In India’s sporting history, the country’s athletes have never participated in any competition under the flag of an international entity.

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CRICKET

Australia in India

Test Series Result: India trounce Australia in the 4-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy by 4-0.

Player of the Series: Ravichandran Ashwin (India)

Pakistan in South Africa

ODI Series Result: SA win the 5-match series 3-2.

Players of the Series: Abraham Benjamin de Villiers (SA)

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MOTORRACING

Australian Grand Prix

Winner: Kimi Raikkonen (Finland/Lotus)

Second: Fernando Alonso (Spain/Ferrari)

Third: Sebastian Vettel (Germany/Red Bull)

Chinese Grand Prix

Winner: Fernando Alonso (Spain/Ferrari)

Second: Kimi Raikkonen (Finland/Lotus)

Third: Lewis Hamilton (Britain/Mercedes)

Malaysian Grand Prix

Winner: Sebastian Vettel (Germany/Red Bull)

Second: Mark Webber (Australian/Red Bull)

Third: Lewis Hamilton (Britain/Mercedes)

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TENNIS

BNP Paribas Open

Men’sWinner: Nadal Rafael (Spain)

Runner-up: Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina)

Women’s

Winner: Maria Sharapova (Russia)

Runner-up: Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark)

Miami Masters

Men’sWinner: Andy Murray (Britain)

Runner-up: David Ferrer (Spain)

Women’s Winner: Serena Williams (U.S.)

Runner-up: Maria Sharapova (Russia)

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