IBA CEO CHRIS ROBERTS OBE COLUMN: THE DANCE OF POWER AND VULNERABILITY
Whilst IBA continues with preparations for the Women’s World Boxing Championships in Serbia, the disappointing message under the current guise and leadership of the IOC remains the same: their intention to replace the IBA with an alternative “puppet” organisation that aligns with the IOC’s one-sided directives is clear. The ‘Dance of Power and Vulnerability’ becomes not only a challenge, but an opportunity for IBA to define its continued role in this harrowing landscape.
It is a true and interesting fact, that the IOC has explicitly threatened boxing’s rightful presence at the 2028 Olympic Games through their own degenerate activity, and the responsibility for this turmoil rests squarely on the shoulders of those at Maison Olympique. They continue through their closed-door negotiations, to deflect blame onto the International Boxing Association, suggesting that we have failed to meet their ‘impossible to achieve’ and to be honest, totally unviable operational standards. We remain on point and strongly disagree; the core issues and problems originate with the IOC and their sycophantic supporters, who seem to lack a fundamental and crucial understanding of this overall situation.
The continued story related to our officials and their integrity is quite simply ‘boringly repetitive’ and now fully out of context. We have in time created a strong system in place, that is managed diligently through good governance and close, careful management, involving renowned international experts. Those who choose to comment on this situation, have no direct responsibility or involvement in this process, but as always, we are surrounded by those armchair experts with a clear lack of understanding. The moral of the story here is ‘do not believe everything that you read’ other than those words from whom sit inside the organisation and are fully appraised of the situation. Biased and prejudiced opinions are carefully distributed among unaware masses to bring confusion.
Furthermore, the IOC continues to paint a picture of an alternative organization that will conform and obey without question. Their mantra appears to be, “We say jump, you say how high.” The IBA refuses to succumb to the mobbing tactics employed by this current leadership, who demand an unknown pathway of compliance in all respects.
It is alarming to witness discussions about recognising another organisation that is willing to bow down and appease those in power, knowingly without the considerable finance that is needed to match or support the output required. I wish good luck to those member federations who consider this as an advantageous move. National Federations that flee in times of adversity display what we perceive as fear; some label it as survival, but we see it differently. To live by the sword is to embrace those risks, which is the reason why the boxing community needs to understand who is right, and who is wrong – I see the full picture in support of IBA, having been part of it for many years. We equally understand that dual membership offers up the support and opportunities for our members who remain uncertain in this current climate, and we will endeavour as always advise, guide and to support as best we can.
Only time will tell, and we at IBA remain confident that karma will be met with peace. This peace will enable our athletes to compete without fear, freeing them from the current quandary and debacle of choosing which organisation or indeed competitions to attend whilst grappling with potential political repercussions. National Federations face similar challenges, as they contend with the disgraceful tactics employed by various National Olympic Committees (NOCs), many of which often lack a genuine understanding of boxing and its core values – along with those key and vital sources of finance that support the sport in their respective countries. Boxing is a unique and valued activity that touches all four corners of the globe, providing opportunities for individuals in the most deprived areas to pursue their ambitions, goals and dreams.
IBA offers those re-defining opportunities for athletes at all levels, from amateur boxing to the professional ranks, creating a clear pathway for their development and success. However, this essential support is currently under threat from those individuals who blindly believe that the International Olympic Committee holds all the answers and is the panacea of all things known in sport. These individuals overlook the significant contributions that IBA makes to the sport and its athletes, risking the erosion of a system that nurtures talent and fosters growth. The focus should remain on empowering athletes and preserving the integrity of boxing, rather than succumbing to misguided notions of a singular authority, along with an erroneous belief of an alternative puppet organisation having the ability to conduct high-level events, and indeed with prize money, that is now expected for the right reasons by our global boxing community.
The question remains; why would any organisation attempt to disrupt another without those respective resources, competition scheduling, or any kind of financial support programme in place, and having proven nothing. It is purely an irresponsible activity that will contribute hugely to the demise of boxing for many member federations. Without high-level competition, without resources, without real subject matter expertise, boxing will meet those continued challenges. If the task of the current IOC President is to conclude this business on his retirement, whilst running for the hills, then there is no legacy left by this man, simply a void which be seen as a catastrophic failure by all… inevitably leaving his replacement to pick up the brunt of his poor decision making.
The shambles at the most recent Olympic Games regarding gender recognition, solely based on a passport, completely undermines the principles that we hold dearly. Providing the backdrop for equal opportunities in sport has been sadly missed here. Whilst the IOC allowed two ineligible individuals, Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, deprive women boxers from their chance and Olympic gold medal in front of the sporting world, a huge step forward for the real protection of women’s sports has recently been seen. Kudos to President Trump for keeping his promise to safeguard athletes with this Executive Order. IBA knows and understands that there is still work to do, particularly in the international boxing space. Protecting the integrity and safety of female boxers must be a priority. IBA and its leadership are ready to collaborate with passionate supporters, to restore the sport after the IOC media debacle at Paris 2024.
IBA remains committed to enhancing the landscape of international boxing through diligent efforts across all facets of its operations. Our organisation is dedicated to fostering strong relationships with National Federations, ensuring they receive the necessary support to thrive in their respective locations and nurture their talents. This ongoing commitment underscores IBA’s focus on collaboration, development, and the promotion of our sport globally.
By prioritising these efforts, IBA will continue to create a positive environment that not only uplifts our members but also advances the sport of boxing collectively. Through our agile strategic initiatives and sustained engagement, IBA is always poised and ready to navigate those challenges whilst championing the interests of our National Federations, in turn Confederations in ultimately contributing to the growth and success of boxing worldwide.
Courtesy of IBA
