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KARACHI: If sports buffs want to have an idea about extent of corruption in boxing, they should listen to a sports goods manufacturer who vows to dole out as much money as he can to “topple” the International Boxing Association (AIBA) chief.
Jahangir Riaz, who is the Managing Director of Green Hill, says he has already spent a huge amount of money on buying allegiance from national boxing federations from different countries, and would keep what he said “sponsoring” disgruntled AIBA affiliates.
“I have spent a lot of money on national boxing federations and I will do anything in my power to remove AIBA president Ching-Kuo Wu. And when I say anything, it also includes spending money to topple him,” Jahangir told Dawn.com in an exclusive interview.
Jahangir, whose company's license had been cancelled after Wu took over as AIBA chief in 2006, has reasons for his vengeance. He has now one mission: to remove Wu and pave the way for a successful comeback into the AIBA fold.
With an objective to remove Wu from power, the sports goods manufacturer has joined the group formed against Wu. He claimed that his group had drummed up support from some 67 countries and representatives of 30 of them also met in Bulgaria last month to chalk out a strategy against Wu.
Among dozens of members who have been reportedly suspended by AIBA for not paying subscription fee are England, Thailand and Belgium. Some 13 recently lost a legal battle against AIBA, contending that their suspension was illegal and AIBA's Congress in Almaty from Nov 1 to 3 should be postponed.
Elaborating his modus operandi, the Moscow-based Pakistani sports goods manufacturer said he had been sort of a “sponsor” to many countries who had been sidelined and suspended by AIBA.
“We are giving financial and legal assistance to those national boxing federations who have been illegally suspended in order to have smooth sailing at the AIBA elections on Nov 3,” he said.
Although Jahangir says it is just monetary help, the idea behind his philanthropy is to restore suspended national federations, buy allegiance and their votes to dismantle Wu from AIBA.
He, however, refrained from disclosing the amount he has spent so far, but says the amount of money as “sponsorship” depends on each federation's geographical position and economic conditions.
“It all depends which country we are dealing with. For example, if we are dealing with African countries like Ghana or Rwanda, it takes only 2,000 dollars, while for other strong and big countries we have to spend a lot more than that. There are some 72 countries which need my help,” he conceded.
While Jahangir says he is spending money to “promote boxing”, he admits that all the cash he is providing will go into the pockets of officials of the national federations.
Nevertheless, Jahangir & Co recently suffered a blow when AIBA declared presidential candidate Paul King, the chief executive of the suspended England Amateur Boxing Association (ABA), not eligible to contest.
“We had Paul King as our leader to contest against Wu. But AIBA said that he cannot run for the post of president as he got support from only nine countries while he needed 20 votes. According to new rules, current Executive Committee members can run for election for president. Paul was current Executive Committee member but according to AIBA he failed to get nomination from minimum 20 countries,” he said.
Jahangir, however, alleged 21 countries nominated King but AIBA declared that only nine voted for him. He said had King been allowed to contest against Wu, he would have won with 80 per cent majority.
The sports good manufacturer says he has been forced to step into boxing politics after AIBA cancelled his license because of relationship with previous AIBA chief Anwar Chowdhry.
“I have lost millions of dollars because of the cancellation of my license. Just imagine it takes 14,000 to 16,000 dollars on a single trip Wu makes for official tours. But AIBA is not ready to spare poor members who failed to pay 250 dollars as subscription fee.
“At the election in 2006 when Wu was elected as president, alcohol, money and girls were provided to affiliated members to buy votes. A drunk official from some poor member state even died in a lift during the elections and later 10,000 euros were recovered from his pocket,” alleged Jahangir.
AIBA now does not allow any member federation to use Green Hill equipment and had banned Turkey and Bulgaria because of the same reason, according to the sports goods manufacturer.
“Even my secretary was removed from the stadium by technical delegate Nieva Embuldeniya during Benazir boxing tournament in Karachi as he was wearing a T-shirt of my company. She even threatened the organisers that she would stop the tournament if my secretary is not thrown out. I just want to know why AIBA has cancelled my license,” he said.
However, AIBA spokesman was not available for comments as he busy in preparations for AIBA Congress. Wu is expected to be re-elected unopposed on Tuesday.
