“Every kid has a right to an Olympic dream. A vote against this motion on Saturday will remove that right from boxing kids in this country. And I think that would be a disaster” – Niall O’Carroll, Chair of IABA’s Board of Directors.
IABA clubs will, on Saturday, vote in an EGM. 44 clubs, exercising their rights under Article 4.9 of the IABA Constitution, have requested this EGM to vote on the following Special Resolution: ‘To remove any references to IBA (AIBA) from all relevant Objects in the IABA Constitution whether contained in the Memorandum or the Articles of Association.’
Niall says “It’s not the Board of Directors driving this (EGM), it’s the members. ” and, he adds “The IBA have lost what looks like their final appeal in a Swiss Court to their expulsion by the IOC (International Olympic Committee), so it looks like IBA are finished as an Olympic federation. We are tied to IBA in our constitution. We can only be a member of IBA and we have to follow all of the rules of IBA – which then affects our ability to travel
This isn’t a vote on World Boxing and anybody who says the Board of Directors have done some sweat-heart deal with World Boxing and that as soon as this goes through, we’re going to join World Boxing: that is not true. And, as much as people like to attack me at the moment, I think every time I’ve stood up in front of our members, I’ve always told the truth. I like to stand over what I’m doing and I can categorically say that this is not true and that the members will decide what federation we join, if we decide to sever our constitutional connection with IBA. We will have another vote where members will decide on World Boxing, or whatever other federation is out there. The vote on Saturday is purely and simply to give us the freedom to step away from IBA, and make whatever decisions we need to make for the future. That’s all this is about.”
This is extraordinarily serious and important to the future of this organisation. People turning up to vote because they’re angry with me, or angry with the Coaching Commission, or angry with the Central Council or angry with the Board of Directors, are completely losing sight of the fact that this vote vote is about an Olympic future for our children. No one benefits from boxing not being in Los Angeles and absolutely no one in Ireland benefits from boxing not being part of the Olympics. We are the most successful Olympic sport in the country. It would be catastrophic to lose that.
FAQ:
- Did the Board of Directors of the IABA propose this EGM?: No
- Who proposed this EGM?: A group of 44 clubs
- Why is this EGM taking place before the AGM?: If clubs request an EGM, IABA must hold that EGM within 42 days, in accordance with the constitution.
- What are clubs being asked to vote on? These 44 clubs have stated the text of the Special Resolution as ‘To remove any references to IBA ( AIBA) from all relevant Objects in the IABA Constitution whether contained in the Memorandum or the Articles of Association.’
- Is this a vote on leaving IBA? No
- Is this a vote on joining World Boxing? No
- Is this a vote on staying with IBA and joining World Boxing? No
- What are the potential outcomes if clubs vote to approve this resolution?
- There will be no restrictions preventing clubs in engaging with all boxing relating activities should the IABA/Central Council permit. IABA clubs will be able to work with federations including USA Boxing, Boxing Canada, Germany and Sweden. IABA will remain a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland. IABA is not aware that IBA has suspended members arising solely from constitutional amendment. IBA has suspended some members and that list is here. Italy, England Boxing and Boxing Scotland are not currently suspended. IABA clubs will give themselves the option of holding a vote on staying with IBA and joining another international federation.
- What are the potential outcomes if clubs vote not to approve this resolution? If clubs vote not to approve the special resolution, the constitution remains as it currently is. IABA and IABA clubs are bound to the regulations set by IBA, which restricts any boxing related activities with non-IBA Federations. Should IBA remove 30+ additional federations from its approved member list, IABA clubs will no longer be able to work with clubs in those federations. IABA clubs will not have the option to vote on staying with IBA and joining another international federation. IABA will be removed as a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland. If IABA is not a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, IABA boxers will not be able to participate in the LA 2028 Olympic Games or the 2026 Youth Olympics – which may have a knock-on effect in High Performance at Elite, Youth and Junior levels in terms of available resources.