(ATR) International Boxing Association (AIBA) interim president Mohamed Moustahsane is the seventh candidate to declare his intention to lead the embattled federation into a new era.
The 52-year-old Moroccan doctor addressed a letter to all member federations on Monday, the deadline for prospective candidates to enter the race.
"Since my first involvement in this noble sport in 1999 when I became a Member of Medical Commission of the Moroccan Boxing Federation, boxing has always occupied a special place in my life," Moustahsane wrote.
"For more than 20 years, I was privileged to serve various roles in boxing, from ringside doctor to executive within the Moroccan Boxing Federation and AIBA, which offered me unforgettable memories and true friendships. Today, I can easily say that I know AIBA inside out.
"I have the pleasure and honor to seek the presidency at this pivotal point in time for AIBA," he continued. "Our association is facing challenges that need a collaborative spirit to overcome and, more importantly, a leader who understands the current complexities and pressures."
He also emphasized that his leadership "can be trusted during the on-going reform process" towards a brighter future with "the ultimate goal to regain the trust of the Olympic Committee and restore AIBA’s Olympic recognition."
National boxing federations will elect a new president and vote on the IOC suspended organization’s new Constitution at an AIBA Congress, planned to be conducted virtually, Dec. 12-13.
Moustahsane has served as interim president since being elected by the AIBA executive committee in March 2019, after Gafur Rakhimov was pressured to step down. The Moroccan sport leader has also been president of the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) since November 2018.
The interim president also outlined his vision for the federation’s future focusing on five major pillars: strengthening AIBA and its continental associations, collaboration with the IOC, redesigning competition structure and improving quality of events, creating a sustainable environment for the sport and driving boxer’s welfare best practices.
"Having been elected to serve as interim president of AIBA at a difficult time for the organization, I am more than aware of the resilience and resolve this position requires, traits that are inherent in the athletes we represent," Moustahsane said.
"As fighters we embrace challenges, thus I am determined to finish the mission of bringing AIBA back to its rightful place in the world of sports, and back into the Olympic family on merit."
Also declaring his intentions for the AIBA presidency on Monday was Ramie Al-Masri, the chairman of the Referees' Commission at the German Boxing Association (DBV).
Al-Masri and Dutch candidate Boris Van der Vorst would both appear to be welcomed choices by the IOC considering their lack of ties to the previous AIBA leadership.
The IOC suspended the world boxing federation in June 2019 based upon corruption, mismanagement of finances, breaches of ethics, non-transparent governance, judging issues and deficiencies in the anti-doping fight.
Other candidates in the running include Russian Umar Kremlev, Bienvenido Solano from the Dominican Republic, Azerbaijani Suleyman Mikayilov and Anas Al Otaiba from the United Arab Emirates.
The IOC not only would like a new president, but also a completely revamped executive board. As a condition for lifting the current suspension, the IOC demands reforms and a new leadership without burdens of the past.
Written by Brian Pinelli
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