The current IBA Board of Directors held its final meeting prior to the election of the new Board of Directors at the IBA Extraordinary Congress taking place this week (13-14 May) in Istanbul. 

A key item on the day’s agenda was governance reform. A presentation was made by the independent Governance Reform Group (GRG), represented by GRG members Dr Heiner Kahlert and Melanie Schärer. The significant progress made by IBA was considered and key areas for further implementation were highlighted, including the need for the establishment of an independent integrity unit and the diversification of income streams. 

“With the help of these respected independent experts from the Governance Reform Group, IBA has been able to move definitively towards governance improvements that can only improve the way IBA serves boxers,” said IBA President Umar Kremlev. “Beyond the individual measures that we have adopted and that IBA will continue to implement, there is a clear and recognisable move towards a culture of integrity. Culture change takes time, but after so many years of difficulty, IBA is now clearly on the right track.” 

The IBA Board of Directors covered a number of other important topics during the meeting, notably the final preparations for the Congress and related matters such as membership and confederation issues.  

The members voted in favour of providing legal support to the National Federation of Cameroon ahead of their election and other National Federations which require legal support.  

The suspensions of Vanuatu and St Vincent and the Grenadines were maintained.  

The Board of Directors discussed the widespread allegations of abuse and other concerns with regard to Boxing Canada and approved an investigation in order to safeguard members of the boxing community in line with the IBA anti-harassment and abuse policy. A disciplinary procedure has also been opened against Boxing Canada. 

On the Russian Boxing Federation, the IBA Board of Directors discussed the advice of the IBA Ethics Committee at length and decided not to suspend the RBF’s right to participate in and vote at the Extraordinary Congress of 13-14 May 2022.

A finance update was given, after the quarterly report had been reviewed by the Audit Committee and circulated to the Board of Directors. While IBA continues to deliver extensive programmes to support for boxing, the diversification of the revenue streams remains a top priority. The Board of Directors was informed that Gazprom has indicated it will not renew its General Partnership agreement with IBA at the end of the currently-contracted term – 31 December 2022. 

At the IBA Extraordinary Congress, the delegates will elect a revised Board of Directors that is more representative of the global boxing family will be elected, featuring a reduced size and greater gender equality. The elections will be conducted according to a revised process established by independent legal experts. The election will also see widespread renewal of the Board of Directors, with four of five continental confederation presidents having been newly elected in recent months and many long-term members of the IBA Board of Directors standing down.  

IBA President Umar Kremlev said, “I want to thank the current IBA Board of Directors for the role they have played in driving the change that needed to happen within our organisation. We have made significant strides over the past year and a half, and the Board members should be proud of their contributions. I have every confidence that the IBA Congress will elect a very strong Board of Directors, and that the new Board will continue to guide our sport on the right path.” 

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