Dhe World Boxing Association (IBA) temporarily suspended Ukraine before the Extraordinary Congress. As the IBA announced following the meeting of its board of directors in Yerevan, Armenia, this was due to state interference in the work of the national association. The Ukrainian association reacted indignantly to the measure in a letter from Kyiv on Saturday and called on all IBA member associations to refuse the congressional approval required for the suspension according to the statutes.
The IBA stressed that the suspension will not affect Ukrainian athletes. These should continue to be able to take part in competitions and be supported by the world association. For this purpose, IBA Vice President Volodymyr Prodywus (Ukraine) was appointed as coordinator.
Ukraine: “Try to silence us”
The IBA is holding an extraordinary congress with a presidential election this Sunday in Yerevan. The world association has been led by the Russian Umar Kremlev since 2020. He is considered a close confidant of his predecessor Gafur Rachimov (Uzbekistan), who had to resign from office due to allegations of corruption. According to the IBA announcement, the member associations in Yerevan must vote on the need for new elections. If they vote against, Kremlev will remain in office for another four years.
The Ukrainian association wrote in its letter that it had learned about its suspension from the media. He was not given the opportunity to comment on the allegations before the board. “We are convinced that the suspension is just an attempt to silence the Ukrainian boxing community,” wrote federation president Kyrylo Shevchenko.
At the same time, he objected to Prodywus being appointed as coordinator by the board. “This is appalling and unacceptable,” he wrote. And further: “How can he coordinate Ukrainian boxers if he fled Ukraine seven months ago?”
