It was a matter of time that International Olympic Council’s (IOC) hammer will fall on India. Close on the heels of international boxing federation (AIBA) announcing that it will need to take a relook at India’s right to host the 2021 Elite Men’s World Boxing Championships, the IOC dashed off a letter to all its member International Federations (IFs) asking them not to consider India as host of tournaments unless participation of all countries and delegates is assured.
India is facing the repercussion of denying visa to Kosovo boxer Donjeta Sadiku to participate in the Women’s World Boxing Championships in Delhi because the Indian government doesn’t recognise Kosovo as a nation. “It is requested that when sporting delegations come from a country/territory not recognised by the host country, specific practical measures are taken by the local organiser/host country to secure the participation of these athletes and sporting delegations under the same conditions as any other participating delegation,” a letter signed by IOC deputy director general Pere Miro addressed to all IFs, read.
“The latest incident occurred in India... This shows clearly that, until this matter is seriously addressed and resolved by the competent Indian authorities, India is not in a position to host international sporting events in which a sporting delegation from Kosovo is due to take part,” the letter said.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Narinder Batra requested the Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh in his position as the IOA Coordination Committee chairperson to open a dialogue with the Indian government at the earliest.
