Women boxing competent enough for Olympics: AIBA President

New Delhi, Nov 19 (UNI) International Amateur Boxing Association President Ching Kuo Wo today asserted that women's boxing was competent enough to be made an Olympic sport.

Mr Wo, who is in the capital for the fourth World Women Boxing Championship, said female pugilists were no less than their male counterparts but admitted that to get the sport included in the Olympics was a tough task.

''Women's boxing is qualified to be an Olympic sport. But the IOC policy is very clear, there cannot be more than 10,500 athletes in the Olympics and the number of gold medals too cannot go beyond 301,'' he said while addressing the media here.

''And for any sport to be included in Olympics, the proposal has to be sent at least seven years in advance. So Beijing 2008 is already out of question but we are trying for London 2012 but I cannot guarantee that it will be inlcuded,'' he added.

Satisfied with the facilities and arrangements for the ongoing championship in India, Mr Wo said this was the first time since the tournament's inception that the participants were not complaining.

''The facilities here have been really good. So far everything has gone very smoothly and I am very happy with the arrangements made here. This championship is a milestone for India and the AIBA,'' he said.

''I was here 23 years ago attending an IOC session. The changes and the development took me by surprise,'' he said of his India experience so far.

UNI PM DH BS1955