SPORTS: Indian boxing federation suspended by world body days after IOC suspends country’s Olympic association

Devendro Singh Laishram of India defends against Paddy Barnes of Ireland during the Light Flyweight boxing quarterfinals of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the ExCel Arena Aug. 8, 2012 in London. Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images

NEW DELHI — The Indian Amateur Boxing Federation was dealt a double blow on Friday after the government withdrew its support within hours of its suspension by world body AIBA for not following proper electoral procedures.

The announcements came within four days of the Indian Olympic Association being suspended by the International Olympic Committee, leaving sports administrator Abhay Singh Chautala’s position in peril.

Chautala is the chairman of the boxing body and was elected president of the IOA in elections on Wednesday that have been declared “null and void” by the IOC.

The government said it also doesn’t now recognize the Archery Federation of India for failing to follow a sports code that rendered 81-year-old sports administrator Vijay Kumar Malhotra’s election as president for a 10th term illegal under age and tenure restrictions. The code restricts the number of terms to three and the age of administrators at 70. Malhotra was the acting president of the IOA before the elections.

The government acted early Friday after an overnight announcement from the AIBA.

“Further to the IOC’s suspension imposed on the IOA, the AIBA executive committee bureau has decided … to provisionally suspend the IABF,” the world body said in a statement after a meeting Thursday at Lausanne, Switzerland. “This provisional suspension is also due to the fact that AIBA had learned about possible manipulation of the recent IABF’s election. AIBA will now investigate this election and especially a potential political link between IOA president, as former chairman of the IABF, and the IABF election.”

The sports ministry also cited improper election procedures, including how the electoral roll was finalized and nominations accepted.

“A notice will be sent to the IABF to confirm that they will hold fresh elections under independent supervision within a period of 15 days,” sports minister Jitendra Singh said at a news conference, adding that if it’s not followed through then the move to isolate the body will become permanent.

“We want to ensure that our athletes do not suffer, and so will be making arrangements for their training till the matter is sorted out.”

Chautala denied any flaw in the process of the elections, which resulted in his brother-in-law Abhishek Matoria replacing him as president.

“We conducted our elections in a proper manner,” Chautala said from New Delhi. “We’re ready to hold the elections all over again under the supervision of the world body if it so desires. They are even free to determine the date and venue for the elections. I’m even ready to resign as chairman if that serves any purpose.”

The developments are a setback to the country’s Olympic disciplines, which are improving following an unprecedented six medals won at this year’s London Olympics.

India won its first boxing medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics through Vijender Singh, who took bronze. Woman boxer M.C. Mary Kom won bronze at London, which was the first games to include women’s boxing.