The President of the World Boxing Federation (WBF), Boris Van Der Vorst, said that there is no transgender boxing in Olympic boxing competitions.
Van Der Vorst made the clarification on Tuesday in Abuja during a two-day visit to Nigeria to further develop a sustainable future for the sport in Africa.
The WBF boss said that the issue was a misconception.
“There is no transgender boxing in Olympic boxing. This is a misunderstanding.
“We are working to ensure there is a safe policy in place, covering medical procedures, gender variation, age, and equipment, such as gloves.
“Our policy on gender variation is ready, and we will be publishing it soon.
“There are no transgender athletes in Olympic boxing, not even in the female boxing,” he said.
He pledged his commitment to the development of boxing in the country and across Africa.
Van Der Vorst said that his visit to Nigeria was to further develop a sustainable future for the sport in Africa.
“I came to Nigeria to discuss how we can advance the sport of boxing, particularly Olympic boxing, in a way that will benefit the Nigerian Federation as well as World Boxing,” he said.
The WBF boss said that his discussions also extended to other African boxing leaders present from Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia on the way forward for the sport.
He expressed satisfaction with the collective efforts to improve the future of boxing on the continent.
“I am very pleased that all of them (African boxing stakeholders) came to Nigeria to discuss the future of our sport and its international development.
“I am confident about the future of our sport,” he added.
He said that the WBF in the last two and a half years had elected officials and fulfilled 70 out of 75 requirements to become an official Olympic international federation.
“World Boxing now has the roadmap to become an Olympic international federation.
“We are proud to have reached the 75th milestone with national federations.
“Our primary goal at World Boxing is to preserve the Olympic dreams of our boxers, in every gym, everywhere in the world.” he said.
Van Der Vorst also acknowledged Nigeria’s pioneering role in joining World Boxing.
He said that the Nigerian Federation was one of the first African national federations to commit to saving the Olympic dreams of its boxers.
“Nigeria was the first brave African national federation to join World Boxing, and their efforts to preserve the Olympic dreams of their boxers are highly commendable.
“For that reason, I am here to pay respect to Nigeria,” he said.
Van Der Vorst used the occasion to reaffirm his support for the Nigerian Boxing Federation, pledging to provide the necessary resources to help it grow.
In his remarks, Coach Adura Olalehin, Chairman of the reception committee for the visit, highlighted the positive impact of the visit to Nigeria.
‘I am particularly elated by the visit of the World boxing President and his innovative ideas that will impact boxing in Nigeria.
“We are hoping this opportunity afforded to us will help us get back to our position that got us global recognition,” he said. (NAN)
