On the Scene -- New Interim President for AIBA

(ATR) A new interim president for Olympic boxing federation AIBA could provoke a new round of controversy. Vice president Gafur Rakhimov will take over the post in accordance with the statutes of the federation.

Rakhimov is the longest-serving vice president of AIBA, for 15 years, and thus was the automatic choice under AIBA statutes. He is stepping in for Franco Falcinelli who is resigning as interim president at the end of today's congress in Dubai. Falcinelli cited personal reasons in his decision to step down.

Uzbek-born, Rakhimov is a Russian citizen and a resident of Dubai, where AIBA is holding an extraordinary congress. The 109 National Federations present were called to Dubai to deal with a collection of issues resulting from the administration of previous president C.K. Wu, who resigned in November.

"We must work closely with National Federations and with the International Olympic Committee to restore confidence in AIBA’s financial management and in its integrity," Rakhimov told delegates in Russian.

"This means greater transparency and improved corporate governance of AIBA, together with independent audits that are conducted in the light of day and not hidden from the AIBA Executive Committee and NFs as happened last year," he said, referencing the financial challenges AIBA faces.

Rakhimov received a standing ovation from the congress but whether that joy is shared outside the AIBA sphere remains to be seen.

Rakhimov remains the subject of rumors that he is linked to organized crime, though he has never faced any charges or prosecution. In 2000, Australia did not grant him a visa to travel to Sydney for the Olympics. In December, the U.S. government included him on a list of a dozen individuals who are not allowed to travel to the U.S.

Rakhimov will lead AIBA until early November when a new president is to be elected. He has not indicated whether he is interested in running for the post.

For now, Rakhimov told delegates that he is ready to help AIBA move past the difficulties of the past year.

"Now is the time for us all to unite. Our greatest responsibility must be to the millions of fans around the world who love boxing and want to be inspired by world-class boxing. We owe it to the fans to make boxing great again."

Reported by Ed Hula in Dubai, UAE.

Travel and accommodations provided by AIBA.