When I was a young boxer representing the USSR over thirty years ago, it meant everything to me. I had the dream of reaching the top, of winning a medal at the Olympic Games.
Today, hundreds and thousands of amateur boxers around the world have that same dream. On Saturday, I have confidence that federations around the world will see that I am the candidate who can bring about that dream – and put in place the structure and resources to bring about a change in culture at the International Boxing Association, AIBA.
My rivals for the candidacy of AIBA have stated their various ambitions, but I have outlined many times in recent weeks that I am the only realistic candidate who has already made a real move to clear the debts we face as an organisation, and bring in a sustainable reform process that will support federations around the world with the challenges we are seeing at local level.
In concrete terms, if elected, I have a guarantee from AIBA’s major creditor Benkons that will solve the issue of a $10m debt that can bankrupt the organisation.
In addition, I have announced today that, if I am elected as the AIBA president, we will receive a commercial deal with Nobel Oil Services which will see them commit to a two-year partnership with a minimum annual contribution of CHF3m (€2.8m/$3.4m). This is just the beginning and I am in advanced conversations with other sponsors that will secure annual budgets for AIBA in full.
This will allow AIBA to continue going and allow us to fund the essential reform process with the help of independent, external experts.
The Covid-19 pandemic has left boxing clubs around the world with a lack of funding and facing various logistical issues. In the UK for example, we have seen sports receive government funding, but not boxing, and this is where I believe AIBA can help the national federations. Through the UBA, I will help provide secure and transparent financial support for the development of boxing across all national federations.
This is important because I believe it shows that I am serious about how we can address the issues the IOC has highlighted. I have carefully analysed what reforms they have asked for and can gather the resources to implement these reforms and build an operational AIBA.
I will keep the IOC (and ASOIF) informed at every point so they know we are implementing reforms and not just talking about them.
The IOC have stated this week once again what measures need to be taken if AIBA is once again going to be back as part of the Olympic family. My manifesto details solutions for how we can do this.
I will embark on a 100-day action plan that will be centred on deep reform to AIBA governance. I will do this in association with leading international experts in sport governance.
I hope to be able to set out this process when I am elected president on the 12 December and only after completing this work will AIBA be able to return to the IOC and ask to be fully recognised again.
Saturday represents an opportunity to ensure our boxers can be proud of AIBA again. I want AIBA to be part of the Olympic family and be a force for good – one in which it can support boxing all across the globe.