Boxing ad-hoc committee fixes trial dates for CWG

New Delhi: The ad-hoc committee set up by the IOA to run some affairs of Indian boxing on Thursday decided to hold selection trials for the Commonwealth Games next month after a meeting here.

The six-member committee, headed by veteran administrator Tarlochan Singh, met for the first time on Thursday and discussed critical issues facing Indian boxers, who are competing under the International Boxing Association's flag right now.

"We have decided to select the Commonwealth Games core group of boxers in both the men's and women's category. For that, boxers will be told to assemble in Patiala between May 7 and 11," committee's convener Rakesh Gupta said.

"All national medallists in 2012 and international medallists after that besides the current set of campers in Patiala will be eligible to participate. Thereafter the selection trials to pick the final squad would be conducted from May 20 to 23 in Patiala," he said.

The Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held in Glasgow in July.

Gupta said the trials for the Asian games would be conducted from August 9 to 11. The Asian Games are slated for September in South Korean city of Incheon.

The ad-hoc committee was formed by the IOA after the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation was terminated by the International Boxing Association following its failure to hold fresh elections.

Besides being terminated by AIBA, the IABF has also been de-recognised by the Sports Ministry.

The beleaguered body is now waiting for some missive from AIBA, which has invited applications from individuals and groups with a passion for the sport to form a new federation.

Apart from selection trials, the committee has decided to request the International Boxing Association to provide exposure trips to the Indians to help their preparation for the CWG and Asiad.

"We are going to request AIBA for international exposure for our boxers. We will also request them to allow our coaches to apply for certificate courses and get themselves updated on the latest," Gupta said.

Besides Singh and Gupta, the IOA ad-hoc committee comprises national coach G S Sandhu, Mehtab Singh, and Kuldip Vats.

After provisionally suspending the IBF on December 6, 2012, AIBA has not recognised any official activities and has not supported the Indian officials for more than 16 months now.