IBA President Kremlev lauds Nigeria, Zambia, others after CWG ‘great success’ – Sporting Life

International Boxing Association (IBA) President Umar Kremlev has praised the efforts of African nations at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham after they won 19 medals.

Kremlev also praised the work of the referees and judges in providing a “fair tournament”.

Although no African nation won a gold medal, Ghana and Mozambique picked up two silvers and one bronze each to finish as the top-ranked Africans on the medal table.

In all, nine African nations claimed silverware, the others being Nigeria, Zambia, Mauritius, South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana and Uganda.

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Kremlev noted that the IBA dedicated 2022 to the continent.

“As the IBA has declared, 2022 is an ‘African Year’ and I am pleased to highlight that 19 boxers from nine African countries have won medals at the Commonwealth Games,” said Kremlev.

“This is a great achievement for them and the result of their hard work.

“To ensure that sport continues to develop in Africa, many educational programs are planned this year.”

Kremlev also praised the work of the referees and judges at the event, an area where the IBA needs to improve in order to once again receive International Olympic Committee recognition.

The IBA oversaw the Birmingham 2022 boxing tournament, but that relationship is “provisional,” says the Commonwealth Games Federation.

“We are satisfied with the smooth work of our referees and judges who did their best to deliver a fair tournament,” added Kremlev.

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“We have come to a point where our efforts are showing the results of our work.

“We will implement many more to ensure that the IBA continues to progress.

“The IBA is constantly evolving in its sporting part and the Commonwealth Games are a perfect testament to that.

“I appreciate the efforts of the IBA and the Birmingham 2022 organizers to make the boxing tournament at the Commonwealth Games a success and I am grateful for the work that has been done together.

“I think the athletes enjoyed it as much as the spectators.

“I congratulate the winners on their well-deserved gold medals.”

Kremlev added that potential sponsors and partners are showing interest in boxing as the IBA’s financial model has recently been questioned.

An extraordinary IBA Congress is due to be held in Armenia next month, where Kremlev will again be challenged for the presidency by Dutch Boxing Federation President Boris van der Vorst.

Van der Vorst was barred from running in an election earlier this year but successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.