AIBA acted in haste, says BFI after India loses 2021 men's World C'ship hosting rights

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) asserted that the International Boxing Association (AIBA) acted in "haste" after the hosting rights of the 2021 men's world championship were taken away from the country for non-payment of host city fee.

In a statement on Monday night, AIBA handed over the championship, originally allotted to India in 2017, to Serbian capital Belgrade.

The BFI acknowledged the delay in payment but blamed it on "procedural complications" arising out of the AIBA's failure to resolve "issues" with regards to the account in which the money was to be transferred.

The payment of what is estimated to be USD 4 million was due to be made on December 2 last year.

"After New Delhi didn't fulfill its obligations to pay host fee as mentioned in the Host City Agreement terms, AIBA has terminated the contract. Therefore, India would have to pay a cancellation penalty of USD 500," the AIBA said in a statement.

The elite competition would have happened for the first time in the country.

The BFI, headed by Spicejet Airlines owner Ajay Singh, said the AIBA could not clearly tell where to transfer the money and invited fresh bids for the event a day before the payment deadline.

"...we have reasons to believe that the decision to change the venue of WCH-2021 was taken in haste without due consultation with BFI...the penalty that is imposed is shocking and surprising
"We believe that we will keep planned time-frame and conduct World Championships in 2021 after the Games if the pandemic situation is under control."