Ninvalle optimistic ahead of high-level meeting on Sunday

BOXING, one of the world’s most popular sports, is in turmoil, but president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle is chartering a course that could very well determine the way forward for the sport. Ninvalle is also an Executive Committee Member of AIBA.

On Sunday September 10, Ninvalle, at the Racquet Centre in Georgetown, will host a high-level meeting that will feature representatives from the Boxing Associations from around the Caribbean, the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) and a group challenging the hierarchy of the governing body.

AIBA’s embattled president Wu Ching-Kuo, who sits at the helm of the sport, since 2006, has found himself in a power-struggle with the majority of his executive committee members who have joined forces to establish a temporary administration.
Wu, according to reports, have since called the move something similar to a ‘military coup’, with the group citing that the Taiwanese is placing AIBA in peril, given the fact that the sport is facing bankruptcy.

It is alleged that AIBA is not in a position to repay debts totalling 15 million Swiss francs (13 million euros); something Wu has since denied and even confirmed through several media reports that AIBA’s finances are ‘healthy’.
Led by Italian Franco Falcinelli and Pat Fiacco of Canada, several executive committee members have signed a document in attempt to force Wu to step down through the Swiss courts.

However, the court ruled and rejected their request, claiming the aggrieved group will have to wait for a proper hearing this month.
AIBA will host their Extraordinary Congress in Dubai in November and it is said that national federations will vote on whether to have Wu removed from the helm.

It is on those grounds that Ninvalle initiated the meeting, telling Chronicle Sport yesterday in an exclusive interview that the Caribbean remains a pillar in the AIBA setup and as such, it is important that they hear from both sides – the opposing group and those representing and standing in the corner of the current president.

“It’s an important meeting and it’s a good thing that the Caribbean, as a collective unit, can remain in the vanguard, because it shows our leadership and it shows that we are in front as it relates fighting for the development of the sport,” said Ninvalle.
The coming-together as a Caribbean body, according to Ninvalle, “gives credence to their motto: One voice, one goal, one Caribbean.”

After July’s Executive Committee meeting in Moscow, an Interim Management Committee (IMC) was put in place, headed by the Italian Falcinelli who seems to be running the affairs of AIBA but this has been refuted by Wu who has put in motion a legal challenge.
“It should be applauded that we could have had confirmation that the Executive Director of AIBA is coming and the President of the Americas Boxing Confederation Mr Osvaldo Bisbal (Argentina) is coming as well as members of the IMC,” said the Guyanese Amateur Boxing boss.

Ninvalle further mentioned that the meeting “tells how important the Caribbean region is that they have seen it fit to send representatives. We’re hoping that we can have free, fair and frank discussions and out of that, charter a way forward for the Caribbean family.”

It was reported that Wu claims he is being targeted because of his attempt to reform the AIBA and specifically singled out former executive director Ho Kim of South Korea for seeking “revenge” after his ousting over allegations of financial wrongdoing.
Wu insists he is “the legitimate president” and said he had written to IOC chief Thomas Bach to explain the situation, pinning Ho as a main plotter.