DOHA (Qatar): The Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) adopted its new Constitution with an overwhelming majority at its Congress last weekend.
The principle objectives of the constitutional reform aim at improving democratic governance, transparency, efficiency and ethical oversight at AIBA in line with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The vote unrolled in a highly democratic manner to introduce a cultural change at AIBA, which promises to pave its way back to the Olympic family.
The new constitution will give more authority to National Federations, notably as the Presidents of Continental federations will be elected by the Congresses of Continental Confederations.
The number of Board Members will be reduced from 32 to 22 with the vast majority representing Confederations. At least 6 Board Members have to be women; athletes are also represented at the Board.
The new Constitution also clarifies the tasks of AIBA’s corporate bodies and simplifies the structures within AIBA. The Ethics Commission has been granted an extended role.
Several financial control mechanisms, including the creation of an internal audit body, have been approved by the Congress and will be implemented in a very near future.
Five amendments introduced by the Spanish Boxing Federation, England Boxing and US Boxing were passed, which further extend the powers of Confederations to organise training courses for referees and judges, etc. in addition to boxing competitions.
The amendments also specify that only the Congress may dismiss members of the Ethics and Disciplinary Committees while limiting the terms of office for the AIBA President and Executive Committee members by taking into consideration the number of years previously served by such persons.
They also ensure that the persons appointed by the AIBA Board of Directors and approved by the Congress to serve at the Ethics and Disciplinary Committees are recommended by a suitable independent body.
A total of 130 delegates participated in the vote out of 158 eligible delegates from National Delegations.
