BAHAMAS Amateur Boxing Federation President Vincent Strachan got the opportunity to participate in the International Boxing Association’s election of officers recently in Istanbul, Turkey.

During the meeting, Strachan said he got an opportunity to speak on 6-9 points, which detailed the Bahamas position on the treatment of member states, especially small members in the Americas.

Strachan said he was also encouraged by IBA president Umar Kremlyov’s assistance in training equipment and financial assistance for each country.

Additionally, Strachan said Kremlyov assured his open door policies to all members. He noted that the International Olympic Committee’s desire to control boxing worldwide and its continued goal post moving actions toward IBA and its objective to see a puppet president for the IBA.

Strachan said he pledged the Bahamas’ support for the president in his bid to rectify whatever differences the IBA has developed with the IOC.

Strachan said a motion was also accepted to extend the suspension of St Vincent and the Grenadines for its non participation in any IBA event as well as non payment of membership dues.

However, Strachan said he did not support the extension, although it was approved by the membership at large.

Strachan said he was delighted to be able to participate in the meeting and share the Bahamas’ stance on the way forward.

“I contended that there was no consideration for the challenges that small regional countries faced,” Strachan said.

“There should be greater efforts to assist in the process of getting the country in a better place to be able to make the necessary changes to resolve the problems which are adversely affecting them.”

In accepting the position of president, Kremlyov released the following statement to the membership: “Following the CAS decision, the IBA Board of Directors will meet on 24 June in Lausanne to discuss the next steps. I have written to the Board of Directors today, recommending that new elections be held,” Cremley wrote. “I am grateful for the confidence shown in me by the Member Federations of IBA both at the elections of 2020 and again this year. If CAS has stated that my opponent should have been eligible to stand for election, then let us have a new election. This is, however, a decision for the IBA Board of Directors.

“In boxing, we should never be afraid of competition. I have seen for myself, countless times, the way that boxing can change young lives for the better and I have experienced this myself. Boxing gave me much as a youth. It greatly improved my future. Now I am at a point where I can give back to boxing and greatly improve our sport’s future and I am proud to do so.”