DOHA (Qatar): Four candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for presidential election of International Boxing Association (AIBA) with nominations closing on November 2.
The AIBA election will take place on December 12-13, 2020.
But the candidates have not inspired much confidence in the boxing family, and most national federations have approached AIBA Executive Committee member and Russian Boxing Federation Secretary General Umar Kremlev to stand for the post.
The 37-year old was elected as first Vice President of the European Boxing Confederation (EUBC) and AIBA Executive Committee member in 2018.
Ukraine, Serbia, Colombia, Paraguay and the Solomon Islands have sent their letters of support for Kremlev’s candidacy should he choose to stand for the post.
“We are convinced that Umar Kremlev is a person who knows and understands boxing, the needs of the Federations, their athletes and coaches. He is the right person for the development of a transparent development strategy that restores AIBA’s credibility in the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the great family of amateur boxing worldwide,” said Emilio Aranda of Boxing Federation of Paraguay.
During the Covid pandemic, the Russian Boxing Federation launched a hotline to support the country’s sporting community and the public. Volunteers based at its Moscow headquarters, including several boxers, helped to deliver 3.5 million masks and 5,000 tons of hand sanitiser
and antiseptics.
“One of the main initiators of the necessary reforms in our sport, during a global pandemic, is Umar Kremlev. He persistently continues to carry out actions to resume the competition, help athletes and support AIBA in general. This is the best evidence of his leadership skills,” said Ukrainian Boxing Federation president Volodymyr Prodyvus.
In Russia, for instance, Olympic champions and their coaches receive a monthly salary. All the regional federations are provided with gloves, headguards and other boxing equipment, along with funding from the Russian Boxing Federation.
Kremlev has also initiated several international boxing events, including International Boxing Day. He launched the Global Boxing Forum to unite amateur and pro boxing in an open dialogue. The continental AIBA forums are also aimed at putting all the national federations
together and bring the AIBA leadership closer to its members.
