After Olympics, India\'s Boxing and Archery Associations Out of Play

ReutersPrime Minister Manmohan Singh felicitating medal winners in boxing, at the 2008 Olympics, Vijender Singh, second from right, and Sushil Kumar, second from left, in this Aug. 26, 2008 file photo.

Allegations of corruption and election manipulation are roiling India's sports agencies.

On Thursday, the International Boxing Association suspended the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, saying in a statement that it had learned of “possible manipulation” in a recent election held by the Indian group. The move could prevent Indian boxers from competing in the World Boxing Championship in Kazakhstan next October.

On Friday, India's Ministry of Sports “derecognized” the Archery Association of India and said it had “suspended recognition” of the Indian Boxing Federation.

“The president-elect of the Archery Association of India has served for more than three consecutive terms in the past and is also above the age of 70 years,” which violates India's sports code, Minister of Sports Jitendra Singh said at a news conference in Delhi. The boxing association's recent electoral process was “flawed,” he said.

The moves come close on the heels of an announcement by the International Olympic Committee on Tuesday that it had suspended the Indian Olympic Assoc iation, and are the latest in a series of allegations of wrongdoing against officials in Indian sports. The Commonwealth Games held in India in 2010 were nearly called off because of several controversies related to mismanagement and corruption.

The International Boxing Association said Thursday that it planned to investigate recent elections held by the Indian boxing group, and in particular a “potential political link” between the president of the Indian Olympic Association and the recent boxing election.

Abhay Singh Chautala, a politician from the Indian National Lok Dal Party, is the man at the center of the controversy. During elections held on Sept. 23, 2011, Abhishek Motaria, a politician from Rajasthan, replaced Mr. Chautala as president of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation. According to a stateme nt made by the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, on the same day, Mr. Chautala was named chairman of the federation â€" a post that was created just before the election, through an amendment to the body's constitution.

On Wednesday, a day after it was suspended, the Indian Olympic Association elected Mr. Chautala its president.  Lalit Bhanot, who was arrested on charges of graft during the Commonwealth Games, but is currently out on bail, was elected secretary general.

The International Amateur Boxing Association said it was now investigating the possibility of a link between the two elections.

On Friday, Mr. Chautala told reporters that he was prepared to step down as chairman of the boxing federation and for re-elections to be held so that the body can regain its affiliation with the International Boxing Association.

Other officials from the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation denied any wrongdoing. “The election was held fairly and the decision was unanimous of the whole house,” Rakesh Thakran, the body's administrative secretary, said by telephone. “The Indian Amateur Boxing Federation has the power to create any post for the smooth running of the organization,” he said. “The constitution can be amended at any time.”

According to Mr. Thakran, the post of chairman was created after all members approved it at the boxing group's annual general meeting. He also said that all 35 affiliated state associations were represented at the elections.

Members of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation are planning to travel to Lausanne, France, where the International Boxing Association is headquartered, to clarify the situation, he said. “They may have been guided wrongly by someone,” Mr. Thakran said. “We will talk to them about it.” He also said that they had not been informed of the suspension in advance.

“The government is contemplating interim measures by which athletes are not affected ,” he said.