ID :
16766
Sat, 08/23/2008 - 20:14
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http://m.oananews.org//node/16766
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AIBA admits scoring system flawed but dismisses corruption
Beijing, Aug 23 (PTI) It maybe of little consolation for Akhil Kumar, who was denied points in his quarterfinal bout, but the International Amateur Boxing Federation (A.I.B.A.) confessed the scoring system is far from accurate even thoughit dismissed corruption charges.
Akhil was unlucky not to get early points against Gojan Veaceslav in the 54kg quarterfinal bout and later said conceding an early lead to the Moldovan made all thedifference.
Both his coaches BI Fernandez and Gurbax Singh Sandhu were furious with the scoring, even though they refrained frommaking their displeasure official and invite sanction.
Akhil was not the only boxer who found himself at the wrong end of the scoring system and A.I.B.A. Disciplinary Commission member Tom Virgets admitted the system was notflawless.
"For a subjective sport, while the scoring might not exactly reflect what takes place, the person with the most points -- 90 to 95 percent of times -- will be the winner," hesaid.
A.I.B.A. Technical Delegate Terry Smith echoed the same view and said, "Unfortunately, that's the way we score. Somepoints will be missed.
"I hope someone will do something to clear up theambiguity surrounding the scoring," he added.
Like Akhil, Chinese pugilist Zou Shiming was unlucky to get a 0-15 verdict against Irish boxer Paddy Bernes, with thescoreline failing to reflect the nature of the bout.
"It's not that he did not score any punches, they justdidn't fall through for him," Smith argued.
Both Virgets and Smith, however, rejected allegations ofcorruption among judges.
"For 20 years, this organisation has been under a cloud of suspicion but there have been new reforms that have madethis suspicions significantly reduced," Virgets said.
Smith said had there been any proof against anyone, A.I.B.A. would not have wasted time in taking action againstthe offender.
"At this point of time, I must emphasise this is simply an allegation, there is no proof. If we had proof, we would betaking action," he said.
Akhil was unlucky not to get early points against Gojan Veaceslav in the 54kg quarterfinal bout and later said conceding an early lead to the Moldovan made all thedifference.
Both his coaches BI Fernandez and Gurbax Singh Sandhu were furious with the scoring, even though they refrained frommaking their displeasure official and invite sanction.
Akhil was not the only boxer who found himself at the wrong end of the scoring system and A.I.B.A. Disciplinary Commission member Tom Virgets admitted the system was notflawless.
"For a subjective sport, while the scoring might not exactly reflect what takes place, the person with the most points -- 90 to 95 percent of times -- will be the winner," hesaid.
A.I.B.A. Technical Delegate Terry Smith echoed the same view and said, "Unfortunately, that's the way we score. Somepoints will be missed.
"I hope someone will do something to clear up theambiguity surrounding the scoring," he added.
Like Akhil, Chinese pugilist Zou Shiming was unlucky to get a 0-15 verdict against Irish boxer Paddy Bernes, with thescoreline failing to reflect the nature of the bout.
"It's not that he did not score any punches, they justdidn't fall through for him," Smith argued.
Both Virgets and Smith, however, rejected allegations ofcorruption among judges.
"For 20 years, this organisation has been under a cloud of suspicion but there have been new reforms that have madethis suspicions significantly reduced," Virgets said.
Smith said had there been any proof against anyone, A.I.B.A. would not have wasted time in taking action againstthe offender.
"At this point of time, I must emphasise this is simply an allegation, there is no proof. If we had proof, we would betaking action," he said.
