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Sports Organisations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2022

Tuesday, 21 June 2022

Ceisteanna (32)

John Lahart

Ceist:

32. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on the ongoing controversy in the Irish Athletic Boxing Association; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32425/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) has recently published online its finalised Governance Review and its upcoming EGM on 10 July will provide the opportunity for the organisation and its members to affect meaningful and positive change in boxing. I would encourage them to accept and implement the recommendations of the review in full. 

It is important to note that the Review is the IABA’s own review and was underpinned by a comprehensive consultation process. The Review is very balanced and has recommendations that will benefit every part of the IABA.  The IABA has the opportunity now to move forward and accept the review and its recommendations.

Delegates at the EGM will vote on a motion to create a new board which will be charged with implementing the recommendations of the Review.

The Government wants to support the boxing community, and we want to see the sport thrive.  If the review is accepted, there will be an immediate pathway for the IABA to make progress. However, if the IABA is unwilling to accept the review and tackle the issues outlined in the review, then they will find that they are disallowing themselves from future funding streams, which would be to the detriment of boxing and will, unfortunately, hinder them from reaching their potential as an organisation. If the review is rejected at the EGM, it will create a lot of uncertainty for boxing.

Sport Ireland will continue to support the IABA as it goes through the various steps that are now required, beginning with the development of an implementation plan for the 64 recommendations in the review.  Sport Ireland stands ready to support the IABA in this; they will assist with necessary resources and will ensure that progress is continuously monitored, overseen and reported on.

I hope that every effort will be made by the IABA to ensure acceptance of its own Review and I would encourage all of those involved in boxing, from the grassroots of the clubs to the county, provincial and national committee rooms, to encourage acceptance of the motion.

The results we have seen at World and European level in recent weeks are exceptional. It must be noted that they are being achieved without a Performance Director. It makes the success all the more remarkable and gives pause for reflection as to just how much more can be achieved in the medium term with full implementation of the Review.

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