The dispute between the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) and Sport Ireland doesn't appear to be ending anytime soon and Sport Ireland have issued an ultimatum.
Sport Ireland have stated that they will cut funding that is channeled to the IABA if the internal disputes within the organisation are not sorted by July 1st.
The governing body of sport in the country grants the IABA around €1.1 of taxpayers money, much of which goes in the direction of funding the organisation's high performance unit that is under the direction of Bernard Dunne.
Some of the internal divisions of the IABA include:
Team Selection
Team selection is a sensitive subject at the moment. Nine boxers are preparing for the European Elite Men’s Championships in Ukraine. Bernard Dunne proposed Martin Keenan as a super heavyweight representative, but the IABA proposed Dean Gardiner. A box-off ensued, which Gardiner won.
Chairman
The position of chairman is also a hot topic within the organisation. The IABA currently has two chairmen. Five members of the IABA approved David O'Brien as an alternative chair to Joe Christle, the man who Sport Ireland recogonise as chairman, which has led to deep divisions within the organisation.
Rio 2016 Disaster
Recommendations that Sport Ireland made to the IABA after a disastrous Rio 2016 campaign are yet to be implemented. Michael O'Reilly was sent home for testing positive for banned substances. Michael Conlon was robbed in his division while Katie Taylor, Joe Ward and Paddy Barnes all fell short.
Recommendations have not been addressed and it appears CEO of Sport Ireland John Treacy has had enough. Treacy has threatened to cut off any Sport Ireland funding that the IABA receives if the organisation doesn't sort out its internal divisions and overriding problems by July 1st.
IABA are on the ropes, and Sport Ireland may hit them with a knockout blow.
