ABU DHABI, 12th December, 2022 (WAM) — Athlete-driven governance approach and International Boxing Association’s (IBA) place in the Olympic Games became an overarching theme throughout the weekend, which fostered many discussions among the boxing community during the Global Boxing Forum, held in Abu Dhabi.

“We are protecting the interests of our athletes, and since they want to fulfil their Olympic dream, we will also fight for it,” IBA President, Umar Kremlev said.

“Boxing is the IBA, and this is as true as those boxers are an integral part of our organisation, the very heart of it. I am confident that by being united, we can achieve our goals.”

The IBA Ordinary Congress 2022 showed unity amongst the boxing family, after Prof. Richard McLaren OC DD, CEO of McLaren Global Sport Solutions Inc., the Court of Arbitration for Sports Arbitrator, presented his comprehensive report about the past of the International Boxing Association, formerly AIBA, and reported on the vetting processes he has done. “The IBA is changing significantly, there has been observable progress within the organisation,” he stated. According to statistics, when the vetting processes started in 2021, there was approximately 30 percent of high-risk competition officials, while as of now it is less than five percent.

Addressing the Congress, Kremlev sent a crucial message, which was met with a round of applause. “The IOC must hear us. We have the same goals as them, to create the best conditions for the athletes. We should fight for our sport at the Olympics. I want to stress that not a single boxer, coach or National Federation will be participating in the Olympic Games without the IBA. This is a request from the boxers.”

During the IBA Global Boxing Forum, Kremlev also described Abu Dhabi as the capital of world sports, stating, “Abu Dhabi is not the capital of sports in the Gulf or the Middle East, but rather the capital of sports in the world. The Emirates and its capital, Abu Dhabi, respect all cultures and values.”

Commenting on the state of boxing in the UAE, Secretary-General of the UAE Boxing Federation, Hassan Al Hammadi said, “The sport of boxing in the UAE is in continuous development and growth, so we are pleased to host the IBA Global Boxing Forum for the first time in the Middle East, where discussions and the exchange of ideas, experiences and knowledge contribute to the development of the sport of boxing.”

Al Hammadi added, “The policy of the UAE is based on coexistence and tolerance among all, and the country embraces more than 204 nationalities who live in harmony, peace and love. Our country is open to all, and I thank the President of the IBA for establishing this forum in Abu Dhabi, where we have benefited from the discussions that took place in it. I will convey the IBA’s interest in establishing a boxing complex in Abu Dhabi to the officials of the UAE Boxing Federation and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.”

Following the conclusion of the Ordinary Congress, the IBA hosted a pro tournament, IBA Champions’ Night, with eight exciting fights taking place in the stunning Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers. Boxing stars included Amer Husain Ali Saeed from the UAE, Danis Latypov from Bahrain, Sofiane Oumiha from France, Bakhodir Jalolov from Uzbekistan, Roniel Iglesias from Cuba, and Irma Testa from Italy. They showed their skills and athletic prowess in front of esteemed guests of the Global Boxing Forum.