India given deadline relief by AIBA

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) on Monday gave India partial relief by extending the deadline for the formation of a new national federation from March 31 to May 14.

India could be barred from the 2016 Rio Olympics should they fail to comply within the deadline. The country currently does not have a governing national federation, and Indian boxers are facing an uncertain future.

"We note that we previously advised that this process should be completed by March 31, 2016. However given the statutory requirements as set out by you, AIBA is willing to allow additional time to ensure that the process is correct. On that basis, we require that the elections will happen at the earliest but on or before May 14, 2016 at the latest," the AIBA said in a letter addressed to the ad-hoc committee governing boxing in India.

The onus is now on the ad-hoc committee which now has to arrange for hosting a general meeting involving all stakeholders and to hold an election in accordance with the AIBA statutes and bylaws.

Only after its approval from AIBA can the governing body then conduct the national championships.

"AIBA Ad-Hoc Committee will periodically send the regular updates to confirm that the timeline as provided by AIBA is being adhered to," the letter added.