(Boxing news) The International Boxing Association (IBA) invited candidates for election to positions on the IBA Board of Directors, even that of President. Before becoming candidates, they will have a process of eligibility checks that will also select the candidates that have the right skills to help lead IBA to a brighter future.
“Over the past year, IBA has undergone a very impressive transformation in our ability to serve boxers. We have made huge progress in governance reform, financial integrity and sporting integrity,” said IBA President Umar Kremlev. “The way these elections will take place reflects that transformation. The IBA election process has been developed to the highest standards, with the support of the best minds in governance, and we are grateful for that support.”
The present IBA Board of Directors features 28 members, the next Board will be reduced to 18: President – elected by the IBA Congress, Five Directors representing the Continental Confederations – elected by the Confederations, Ten independent Directors – elected by the IBA Congress, Two athletes – elected by their peers.
The upcoming elections will be for the President and ten independent directors. Of the ten independent Directors, at least five must be women and a minimum one from each continent. 2nd March will be the final deadline for nomination. The list of eligible candidates will be published by 22 April and the elections will be held by the Electoral Congress on 13-14 May, during the IBA Women’s World Championships in Istanbul.
All candidates have to provide insights of their eligibility according to a set of strict criteria, including term limits. All candidates will also be a part of background checks conducted by Genius Sports, an independent provider. An independent Interim Nomination Unit will then overlook the applications and will apply a skills analysis to those nominated for the position of independent Director. Skills needed are finance, marketing, medical and exceptional sporting ability. After the assessment, the independent Unit is expected to recommend a group of 20-30 candidates for election.
The independent Interim Nomination Unit’s five members are:
Prof. Piermarco Zen-Ruffinen, Professor Emeritus of the Law Faculty at the University of Neuchatel, Dr. Catherine Ordway, Sport Integrity Research Lead at the University of Canberra, Chair of the Badminton World Federation Vetting Panel, Louise Reilly, Barrister-at-Law, Chair of the Board of the Biathlon Integrity Unit, Jacques Blondin, Head of Regulatory Enforcement at FIFA, Roberto Cammarelle, AIBA World Champion and Olympic Champion.
The election process was brought by an independent Governance Reform Group led by Prof. Ulrich Haas. The Group’s report was approved unanimously by IBA members at an Extraordinary Congress held in December 2021.
The elections will also be conducted in accordance with a comprehensive set of regulations.
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