(ATR) The interim president of Olympic boxing Federation AIBA makes his first visit to the Lausanne headquarters.
Gafur Rakhimov held meetings to review upcoming events such as the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires and Women’s World Championships. Rakhimov also met and spoke with the staff during the visit at Maison du Sport International.
Rakhimov was selected as interim president in January after many years as a vice president. The federation is in the midst of reforms demanded by the IOC to avoid being cut from the 2020 Olympics and Tokyo.
Issues involving referees and judges, anti-doping, finance and governance are among the IOC concerns.
"These recent months have been challenging but gradually the progress of the organization is gaining much needed momentum," Rakhimov told the staff according to a press release.
"I see a lot of commitment and engagement coming from the HQs team, and I am sure you will continue doing all needed to serve the best interest of our organization, all of its stakeholders, most importantly our core membership - the National Federations. I will make sure to provide the needed support in order to keep moving our organization and our sport forward," says the release.
AIBA executive director Tim Virgets says the visit by the interim president was a plus for the headquarters staff.
"Having him in Lausanne to exchange and engage with the staff helps the team to understand the big picture goals of our organization. This was a great boost to the morale of the team."
Virgets says Rakhimov has already helped to end the financial crisis for AIBA with negotiations over debt payments. Virgets tells ATR that Rakhimov is "fully engaged" in the work to restore the standing of AIBA with the IOC.
Rakhimov’s visit to Lausanne comes amid word that other candidates could emerge to seek the AIBA presidency when elections are held in November.
The Uzbek-born businessman has been connected to sport in Asia for years. At the same time he’s challenging sanctions from the U.S. Treasury Department over alleged connections to organized crime activities in Russia. Rakhimov denies those links.
Around the Rings is told that there may be a move to boost the candidacy of Franco Falcinelli, the Italian who held the interim presidency before Rakhimov. Another name mentioned is Serik Konakbayev, an AIBA vice president from Kazakhstan.
Rakhimov, 67, is believed to be interested in the AIBA presidency but has yet to declare his intentions.
Reported by Ed Hula.
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